11. Pakistan cumhurbaşkanı
Rescuers search for survivors as Indonesian 7.7 quake death toll rises to 47
Rescuers combed through debris for survivors on Saturday after a powerful earthquake struck off Indonesia’s eastern Flores island, killing at least 47 people, according to disaster officials. The national disaster management agency (BNPB) raised the death toll from 40 late on Saturday, while rescue official Fathur Rahman said 50 people were injured in the 7.7-magnitude quake. Suharyanto, who leads the BNPB, said earlier that people were trapped in several buildings. “These will be the initial targets of the disaster response teams,” he said. Nearly 160 houses, dozens of educational and health facilities and other public buildings were damaged when the earthquake struck the popular tourist island in Indonesia’s east, the BNPB reported. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said preparations were underway to bring aid to some 2,000 people in temporary shelters. The government sent 50,000 aid packages weighing a total of 275 tonnes to the area, and European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen offered help from the bloc’s Copernicus Earth observation satellites. “Europe stands ready to deploy Copernicus, our eyes in the sky, to support search and rescue efforts. Indonesia, we stand with you,” she wrote on X. ‘Like we were on a trampoline’ “I have never felt an earthquake this big,” Yulian Juita Ekalia, who lives in Ruteng city — more than 100 kilometres west of the epicentre — told AFP by telephone hours after the tremor. “It felt like we were on a trampoline; it was really scary,” said the 37-year-old university lecturer, who was jolted awake at around 5:30am (2130 GMT on Friday). “As I rushed to get outside, everything in the house fell down: the television, my son’s trophies, the dish racks, suitcases on top of the wardrobes. When I got outside, my son and neighbours were already there, screaming in fear.” Rescue official Fathur told AFP the focus was on locating victims who may be buried under rubble, but rescue efforts have been complicated by landslides cutting off roads. Many Flores inhabitants were left without electricity and telecommunications. Residents in Nagekeo, an area close to the epicentre, raced for higher ground as the sea retreated early Saturday — a possible sign of an approaching tsunami, AFP journalists witnessed. While a tsunami warning was lifted, authorities urged people not to return to damaged buildings for fear that aftershocks may bring them down. Hundreds remained outside hours later as dozens of aftershocks shook the island, the strongest measured at a magnitude of 6.1. Waves of up to 1.6 metres were reported in some coastal regions of Flores, according to Indonesia’s BMKG geological agency. Fleeing in panic Yulian said she had dragged her stove outside and was cooking there, fearing further tremors. She said she saw patients being treated under emergency tents outside a nearby hospital. Nagekeo resident Yohanes Babo, 56, said he was at a market when the earth started shaking in the early morning hours. “The shaking was strong. Thankfully, we were already outside the house,” he told AFP. “People were panicking, running here and there. We’re evacuating for the time being… and trying to get to the hills.” The epicentre of the shallow quake was located just off the north coast of the island, US and Indonesian authorities said. The affected areas have few, if any, high-rise buildings. A second, deep onland quake was measured at a magnitude of 6.9 near Pematangsiantar on Sumatra island — thousands of kilometres away — some 12 hours after the Flores tremor. There were no initial reports of damage or casualties, and no tsunami alert was issued. Indonesia experiences frequent earthquakes due to its location in the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. Flores was struck by a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in 1992, which triggered a tsunami and resulted in around 2,500 deaths. A devastating 9.1-magnitude tremor in 2004 struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 throughout the region, about 170,000 of them in Indonesia, in one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. Condolences President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the earthquake. “On behalf of the people of Pakistan, the President extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and expressed solidarity with the Government and people of Indonesia in this difficult hour.” He further said that Pakistan was ready to extend all possible assistance.
20 Yıl Sonra Memleket Ziyaretinde Dere Akıntısı: 3 Kişi ÖldüPolitical rivals should not let differences turn into animosity, says Nawaz
PML-N supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Saturday that while political differences between opponents were common during elections, they should never turn into animosity, apparently referring to the deepening differences between the ruling party and its coalition partner, the PPP, at the Centre. Elections are being held across AJK in three division-wise phases amid tensions between protesters and the authorities that have been ongoing for over two months. Addressing a party convention in Murree, the party president congratulated the winners of the elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while extending commiserations to the losing candidates. However, he noted that the complaints from the PPP have been “upsetting”. “We have always maintained good relations with our opponents. There is always disagreement in politics, but it should not reach the point where it creates animosity,” he said. “This is unacceptable.” The PML-N supremo noted that AJK’s atmosphere has always been good, but lamented seeing the buildup of enmity. “I was upset over their losses, and I have good relations with them personally,” Nawaz said. “We need to look at those factors which contributed to their defeat. We had very good candidates who bravely contested these elections. If they were defeated, we must look at the reasons why.” He noted, “We can lose seats, but we cannot lose our spirit. “God has granted us victory in these conditions. As you know, there have been three phases in these elections; the third phase has yet to conclude. But God granted us a majority in the first two phases. We cannot thank Him enough,” Nawaz added, warning that there is “no room” for hurting public sentiment. The PML-N supremo opined that this is the first time that such an environment was created in AJK. He attributed it to successive governments failing to fulfil their duties and meet the needs and requests of the people, regardless of whichever party was in power. “We absolutely need to enable progress in AJK, whatever way we can. We need to resolve problems there, and we will do what we’ve done in Punjab there,” Nawaz stressed. “It should be our duty, and we need to fulfil public sentiment. If, God forbid, we fail to deliver, the people of AJK will grow angry, and the reason behind it is valid. We would then need to look inward.” The PML-N supremo noted that the region needs a great deal of development and tasked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to provide AJK with as much funding as possible to build roads, hospitals, and ensure people have livelihoods. “Tourism needs to be promoted, and industry must be established. Agriculture requires our full attention, and [we can provide] agricultural loans like those in Punjab,” he added. Moreover, he said that people in Punjab are receiving loans for their houses and expressed his intention to launch such schemes in AJK. “I will absolutely direct Shehbaz sahib to launch these schemes in this region, and besides that, provide funding,” Nawaz declared. “People [need to] feel that they are being granted their rights. The people of AJK look at Punjab’s roads, hospitals and hope they are built in AJK; AJK’s children want laptops in their hands, and people should receive Kisaan cards and livelihoods.” Nawaz added that the rest of Pakistan is moving forward and different from the past, hailing PM Shehbaz’s efforts and vowing that current problems would be resolved very soon. The polls and allegations of rigging The polls are being held in phases amid unrest in the region. The PML-N bagged 24 seats — nine from Mirpur division in the first phase on July 27 and 15 in the second phase on Aug 2 comprising Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee seats. The PPP, on the other hand, won only 10 constituencies during these phases. Polling concluded at 23 stations in two constituencies of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s (AJK) Bagh district, having begun at 8am this morning. The AJK Election Commission earlier said polling was ongoing without any reports of violence, but the turnout in both constituencies was negligible. On Monday, polls went ahead in Bagh and Haveli, but the Election Commission later withheld the results of two constituencies pending repolling at 23 polling stations. It announced the result for LA-14 (Bagh-I), commonly known as Dhirkot, where Jammu Kashmir Awami Dast-o-Bazu Party candidate Sajid Iqbal Abbasi secured a landslide victory with 40,522 votes. The PPP has criticised the conduct of the AJK elections, with a high-level meeting of the party in Islamabad terming the polls “rigged and violent” and expressing serious concern over the role of the AJK Election Commission. Earlier this week a meeting, chaired by PPP Women’s Wing president and AJK affairs in-charge Faryal Talpur, also criticised the phase-wise conduct of the elections and demanded the immediate completion of polling in the remaining two districts of the third phase and seven constituencies of Poonch so that the Legislative Assembly could be fully constituted. The participants raised questions over the suspension of internet services, shortages of polling material and staff at some polling stations, and alleged inadequate security arrangements. The third phase, held on Monday, was originally meant to cover all of Poonch Division, which comprises 11 constituencies, including three in Bagh, one in Haveli, five in Poonch district and two in Sudhnoti district. However, the AJK Election Commission announced that polling would only go ahead as scheduled in Bagh and Haveli because of concerns over the law and order situation. PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari accused the PML-N of “robbing” votes in the second phase of the AJK elections as well. In a post on X, he condemned an “attack” on AJK Speaker and acting President Chaudhry Latif Akbar — also the candidate for LA-31 (Muzaffarabad-V). Accusing “miscreant elements of the PML-N” of being behind the incident, Bilawal said PPP worker Mushtaq Shah was killed in the same constituency. “The PML-N is robbing the votes of the people of Azad Kashmir through bullets, batons and coercion,” he alleged.
Presidency announces 355 civil awards on Independence Day
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday approved several summaries sent by the prime minister, including the conferment of military and civil awards and a special remission of sentences for eligible prisoners. According to the Presidency, President Zardari approved military awards for 1,172 personnel of the armed forces and civil armed forces in recognition of their services. In addition, the president approved the conferment of national civil awards on 355 individuals on the occasion of the country’s Independence Day, honouring achievement across science, engineering, education, medicine, the arts, literature, sports, journalism, social welfare, philanthropy and public service, alongside a large slate of gallantry decorations dominated by personnel of the Federal Constabulary who were killed in the line of duty. The awards, announced on August 14, will be formally conferred at an investiture ceremony on Pakistan Day, March 23. Nishan-i-Pakistan The country’s highest civil award for a foreign national goes to Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, United Arab Emirates. Nishan-i-Quaid-i-Azam Two physicians who attended to the founder of Pakistan, Dr Jal Rattanji Patel (Late) and Dr Jal Daeboo (Late), are recognised more than seven decades on. Nishan-i-Imtiaz Six government figures and one literary personality will be conferred the award: poet and writer Asad Muhammad Khan, Ishaq Dar, Mohsin Naqvi, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahad Khan Cheema, Bilal Azhar Kayani and the late Austro-Hungarian Muslim scholar Muhammad Asad (Late). Hilal-i-Pakistan Six foreign dignitaries were recognised for their services to Pakistan: Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri, Deemah Al Yahya, Russian Deputy PM Alexey Logvinovich Overchuk, and Hiroji Kataoka. Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam The award went to Carey Schofield, an educationist working in Chitral. Sitara-i-Pakistan Three Turkish ministers and a Spanish senator were honoured: Hakan Fidan, Yasar Gular, Omer Bolat and Senator Vicente Azpitarte. Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam The award went to six recipients drawn from China, Spain, France and Malaysia. They included Yang Baoning of the China Academy of Space Technology, Master Yuan Xikun, Professor Zhou Yushu, Antonio Gutierrez Limones, Pascal Allizard, and Dr Maszlee bin Malik. Hilal-i-Imtiaz The award was conferred on fifteen recipients across the realms of technology, higher education, medicine, broadcasting, letters, the senior bureaucracy and the diaspora. These included Interactive Group CEO Dr Shahid Mahmud, NUTECH Rector Lt Gen (r) Moazzam Ejaz, renowned transplant surgeon Dr Faisal Saud Dar, HUM Network’s Sultana Siddiqi, and poets Ejaz Rahim and Khurshid Ul Hasan Rizvi. Five senior public servants were also honoured, including DG IB Fuad Asadullah, AGP Mansoor Usman Awan, Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal, FBR chief Rashid Mahmood Lagrial, and Establishment Secretary Barrister Nabeel A. Awan. The remaining awards went under the services to Pakistan head to Saudi Assistant Minister for Investment Ibrahim Al-Mubarak, and to three overseas Pakistanis: Dr Ghulam Murtaza in the UK, the late Prof Ahmed Ali in China, and Sardar Muhammad Ilyas Khan in Saudi Arabia. Sitara-i-Imtiaz In science and higher education, the award went to Kohat University of Science and Technology VC Prof Dr Syed Zafar Ilyas and Balochistan Public Service Commission member Prof Dr Mudassir Asrar, along with ICCBS Director and Unesco Chair Prof Dr Muhammad Raza Shah, FJMU Lahore VC Prof Dr Khalid Masood Gondal, PIDE VC Dr Rashid Amjad, and Taaleem Foundation founder Dr Zafar Iqbal Qadir. Two of the five medical awards are posthumous, going to bone marrow transplantation pioneer Prof Dr Tahir Shamsi (Late) and infectious diseases specialist Dr Naseem Salahuddin (Late). The others went to SICHN Executive Director Prof Dr Syed Jamal Raza, Battagram neurosurgeon Dr Shah Khalid, and physician Prof Dr Muhammad Khurram. Ten artists were recognised: actor Balqees Bano (Nisho Begum), comedian Iftikhar Ahmed Thakur, naat khawan Syed Fasih Uddin Soharwardhy, composer and compere Shakir Hussain, singer Taranam Naz, Sufi opera singer Saira John Peter, the late painter and art historian Abida Ehsan (posthumously), painter Raja Changez Sultan, theatre and TV artist Muhammad Naeem Tahir, and miniature painter Bashir Ahmed. In literature, the award went to short story writer Shakeel Adilzada, Iqbal scholar Prof Brig (r) Waheed Uz Zaman Tariq, poet Maqsood Hussain Jafri, naat writer Riaz ul Haq Tahir Riaz Majeed, writer Muhammad Hafeez Khan, historian Prof Dr Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, novelist Hashim Nadeem, and poet Syed Ghulam Abbas (Muhsin Naqvi). Boxing coach Atta Mohammad Kakar and martial artist and yoga pioneer Dr Waseem A Tai were honoured in sports, journalists Muhammad Saleh Zaafir and Haji Nawaz Raza in journalism, WHO technical officer Dr Maryam Mallick and Nayyab Ali in social welfare, and Shanawar Khan in philanthropy. Twenty-eight public servants also received the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, while under gallantry and public service, the award went to Ahmad Arifeen and to three Punjab police officers recognised for the Kacha operation — IGP Abdul Kareem, DIG Waqas Hassan and DIG Tanveer Hussain Tunio. Danish citizen of Pakistani origin Justice Muhammad Ahsan and UAE-based Haji Khan Zaman Saroor were honoured for services to Pakistan. Tamgha-i-Imtiaz The Tamgha-i-Imtiaz is the largest single category on the list. In science, it went to One Health and AMR focal person Dr Sajjad Hussain, PIEAS Deputy Chief Scientist Prof Dr Aneela Zameer Jaffery and GIS specialist Dr Urooj Saeed, and in engineering to UET Peshawar VC Dr Muhammad Sadiq and PIEAS Principal Engineer Prof Dr Naeem-ul-Haq Tariq. Sixteen educationists were honoured: Women University Mardan and Swabi VC Prof Dr Ghazala Yasmeen, AIOU VC Prof Dr Nasir Mahmood, LUMS Dean Prof Dr Faisal Bari, former LCWU VC Prof Dr Sabiha Mansoor, University of Loralai VC Prof Engr Dr Ehsan Ullah Kakar, IBCC chief Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah, TCF’s Riaz Ahmed Kamlani, retired FDE principals Sabah Faisal and Muhammad Rafique Malik, Cambridge Advisors Network co-founder Syed Azhar Afaq Rizvi, former Sindh High Court judge Qazi Khalid Ali, Diamer-Astore Education Director Faqir Ullah, Abdul Sattar, researcher Dr Ruhi Khalid, CPSP fellow supervisor Prof Dr Sardar Muhammad Ali Ayaz Sadiq, and educationist and philanthropist Yasmeen Dadabhai. In medicine, the award went to CDA Hospital surgery head Dr Naeem Taj, Quetta cardiac surgeon Dr Abdul Wasay, Hashmanis Group chairman Dr Mohammad Sharif Hashmani, and bariatric and laparoscopic surgeon Dr Maaz Ul Hassan. Twelve artists were recognised: actor and anchor Noor Ul Hassan Malik, host Shafat Ali, singer and composer Shiraz Uppal, singer Jabbar Abbas, painter Ali Saad, khussa maker Muhammad Ramzan, shoemaker Jahangir Khan, stone carver Ghulam Haider, Balochi chawat maker Rozi Khan, naat khawans Akhtar Qureshi and Khan Muhammad Chachar, and fashion designer Rubina Kazmi. Ten literary figures were honoured: writer Farida Hafeez, novelist Agha Gul, writer Noor Khan Muhammad Hasni, writer and translator Khalid Fateh Muhammad, poet Haleem Qureshi, writers Manzoom Ali and Sherbaz Ali Khan Barcha, the late historian and archaeologist Muhammad Siddique G Memon (posthumously), Iqbal scholar Prof Dr Haroon-ur-Rasheed Tabassum, and author Qaiser Abbas Sabir. Athlete Faiqa Riaz was the sole sports recipient. Seven journalists were recognised — Muhammad Riaz Khan, culture journalist Shoaib Ahmed, Ammar Masood, news anchors Dr Maria Zulfiqar, Adil Shahzaib and Hammad Hassan, and Tasawwar Arafat. Religious scholars Qari Rooh Ullah Madani, Hafiz Asad Ubaid, Syed Riaz Hussain Najfi and Bishop Humphri Sarfraz Peters were honoured under social welfare, while Haripur Chamber of Commerce President Atif Ikram Sheikh, National Forum of Women with Disabilities Chairperson Abia Akram and Pakistan Association of the Blind President Riaz Hussain Memon were recognised for philanthropy. President’s Pride of Performance Forty-six people will receive the President’s Award for Pride of Performance, most of them from the performing and visual arts. Thirty arts recipients were named. Among the actors and directors are Mahmood Aslem, Sarfraz Hussain Ansari, M Ehtesham Warsi, Arshad Hussain, Ghazala Kaifi, Khawaja Saleem Ahmad, Shazma Haleem, Syeda Maria Wasti and Sania Saeed. From music, the award went to sarangi players Ustad Mazhar Umrao Bundu Khan and Zohaib Hassan, singer Rafia Bano, classical musician Jahangir Iqbal (Ustad Ejaz Tawakal Khan), BJS Qawwal Group’s Nadeem Salamat, harmonium soloist Shahbaz Ali, ghazal singer Gulshan Ara Syed, the late folk singer Talib Hussain Dard (posthumously), singers Mushtaq Shifai and Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan (Zulfi), and choreographers Shaukat Hussain Samrat (Pappu Samrat) and Syed Wahab Hussain Shah. In the visual arts and crafts, it went to painter and illustrator Aftab Zafar, painter and sculptor Tayyeba Aziz, artist Aleem Dad Khan, boreendo maker Allah Jurio, Kashmiri embroidery artist Sheikh Muhammad Yousaf, natural-dye block printer Ameer Buksh, painters Nasir Shahzad and Muhammad Imran Qureshi, and sculptor and cultural consultant Hidayat Ullah Khan. Eight literary figures were recognised: Dr Shahida Shaheen, Ali Muhammad Farshi, Aslam Javed, Muhammad Muti-Ur-Rehman Mumtaz (Rehman Faris), Syed Farid Ullah Shah Hassas, Shafqat Ullah Mushtaq, Nizakat Kalsoom (Kalsoom Zeb) and Syed Wasi Ahmad Fatmi. Six athletes made the list — wrestler Bashir Bhola, shooter Kishmala Talat, squash player Noor Zaman, ramp jumper Sultan Muhammad Golden, boxer Muhammad Waseem and cricketer Sadiq Muhammad — along with journalist Syed Hammad Ghaznavi and photojournalist Muhammad Amir Khan. Gallantry awards Security and law-enforcement personnel account for the single largest bloc on this year’s list, with 91 gallantry decorations approved in addition to the awards named above. Forty-eight were conferred Sitara-i-Shuja’at awards, 24 received the Tamgha-i-Shuja’at while 19 officials were awarded the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz for gallantry and public service. These are separate from the military awards for 1,172 serving personnel of the Armed Forces and Civil Armed Forces approved by the president on the same day. Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2026
Başbakan Şahbaz, Suudi Arabistan'a Üç Günlük Ziyarete BaşladıPM Shehbaz briefs President Zardari on Pak-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad on Friday and briefed him on a recently signed defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, according to a statement issued by the Presidency. For his part, President Zardari “expressed his best wishes for the effective implementation of the tripartite agreement with regard to defence cooperation, regional peace and stability and promotion of the security of the Muslim ummah”, the Presidency’s statement on its X account said. He also appreciated PM Shehbaz’s and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir’s efforts for “further strengthening the longstanding fraternal relations between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan into a robust strategic partnership”, the statement added. The joint defence agreement, signed on August 7 in Makkah, aims to strengthen collective deterrence and empowers its signatory states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them. Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia will form political and military mechanisms under the defence pact, Turkiye’s defence ministry said on Thursday, adding the alliance would also deepen defence industry cooperation. Both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Dar have said the pact is defensive in nature, with the latter saying that it is also “open to any country in the region” willing to uphold its fundamental principles. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Saturday said Turkiye expected Egypt to join the pact “in the next stage”, telling the Anadolu state news agency only “a few technical issues” stood in the way. Egypt has not commented on the agreement nor on the remarks by Fidan. Meanwhile, Kuwait, Bahrain and Somalia are among the countries that have welcomed it. Iran’s comments also took a rather positive tone, stressing its stance of pursuing “security mechanisms based on cooperation between regional countries”. Counter-terrorism, peace efforts in the region also discussed Both leaders also appreciated the armed forces and law enforcement agencies for their performance in operations against the terrorists of Fitna-al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij. Balochistan-based terrorist groups have been designated as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan, and Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. “The resolve was reiterated to completely eradicate the scourge of terrorism from the beloved homeland,” the statement said. In the ongoing Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-3 in Balochistan, security forces killed five terrorists on Monday, a day after they killed 15 terrorists in multiple intelligence-based operations in several areas of the province. On July 9, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the country’s civil and military leadership had taken a “mutual and singular decision” to end terrorism after multiple major terrorist incidents in Balochistan. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies’ (PICSS) monthly security assessment released on July 31, the security situation deteriorated most significantly in Balochistan in the country last month. More to follow
Başbakan Şahbaz, Suudi Arabistan'a Üç Günlük Ziyarete BaşladıWorld leaders extend greetings to Pakistan on Independence Day, hail bilateral ties
Felicitations poured in from other nations on Friday as Pakistan celebrated 79 years of independence. World leaders and diplomats, from the Iranian president to US State Secretary Marco Rubio, not just wished Pakistan and its people on the country’s 80th Independence Day, but also took the opportunity to hail Islamabad’s ties with their countries. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated President Asif Ali Zardari, wishing the government and people of Pakistan steady progress and prosperity, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). King Salman also praised the “strong relations” between the two countries, highlighting the “shared commitment to advancing cooperation across all fields”, SPA reported. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a message to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, described Pakistan’s Independence Day as a valuable opportunity to honour the achievements of the nation, reaffirming Tehran’s firm resolve to further strengthen its relations with Pakistan, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported. He also expressed “readiness to take more effective steps to advance bilateral ties” and “secure the common interests of both sides”, the report said. It added that Pezeshkian noted that the “shared interests of the Iranian and Pakistani nations have become inextricably interwoven, a reality that underscores the need for greater synergy and closer cooperation” and stressed that a “new turning point has begun in deepening and expanding the longstanding and strategic relations” between Tehran and Islamabad. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi congratulated his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, according to IRNA. The state-run Iranian news agency reported that Araghchi said that continued political consultations and the strengthening of economic, trade, border, security, and cultural cooperation between the two countries would pave the way to leverage existing capacities and secure their shared interests. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in his message on Pakistan’s Independence Day, appreciated “the partnership between our nations and the bonds of friendship between our peoples”. “Together, through our cooperation on regional mediation, critical minerals, energy, counterterrorism, cultural heritage, and trade and investment, we are turning potential into progress and delivering real results for Americans and Pakistanis alike,” Rubio said. In Islamabad, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker met Dar and congratulated him. Turkiye’s foreign ministry also extended felicitations to the “friendly and brotherly Pakistan”. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a phone call with Dar and “extended warm greetings on Pakistan’s Independence Day to the leadership, government and people of Pakistan, and conveyed his best wishes for continued peace, progress and prosperity,” the FO said in another post. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated President Zardari and PM Shehbaz, commending Pakistan-Russia relations. “I am confident that we will continue our constructive joint efforts to further strengthen the entire spectrum of our partnership for the benefit of the friendly peoples of Russia and Pakistan, and in the interests of enhancing international security and stability,” a post on the Russian embassy’s X account quoted him as saying. Meanwhile, UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, in a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, “conveyed warm wishes” on Pakistan’s Independence Day, the Foreign Office (FO) said on X. Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, met Dar, congratulated him and reaffirmed the “close and time-tested ties between” Islamabad and China, according to the FO. Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement posted on X, congratulated the Pakistani government and people, adding that “Romania remains committed to further strengthening our bilateral relations, including under the EU-Pakistan framework”. Georgia, meanwhile, expressed its “cordial wishes for peace and prosperity of Pakistani people”, adding that it was looking forward to “further advancing our friendly relations”. Azerbaijan also extended “heartfelt congratulations to the brotherly people and the government of Pakistan”.
Başbakan Şahbaz, Suudi Arabistan'a Üç Günlük Ziyarete BaşladıGreetings to President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif
Vladimir Putin sent greetings to President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif on the country’s national holiday, Independence Day. The message reads, in part: “Russia-Pakistan relations are developing very successfully. Moscow and Islamabad maintain fruitful cooperation in the political, trade, economic, humanitarian, and other spheres, and work closely together on important regional and global issues. I am confident that we will continue our constructive joint efforts to further expand the full range of our cooperation for the benefit of the friendly peoples of Russia and Pakistan, and for strengthening international security and stability.”
Pakistan's leadership stresses need for unity, reforms as nation celebrates Independence Day
Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership has stressed the need for unity and reforms as the nation celebrates 79 years of independence today. According to state-run Radio Pakistan, the day dawned with thirty-one gun salute in Islamabad and twenty-one gun salute at provincial headquarters. A change of guards ceremony was also held at the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi. ‘Pakistan’s security linked to peace in our neighbourhood’ In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to Quaid-i-Azam, those behind the Pakistan Movement and those who sacrificed their homes security and livelihoods in the struggle for a homeland. “But independence is not only a historic achievement. It is also a responsibility that each generation must carry forward. The Pakistan that was created through the democratic will of its people must continue to grow stronger, more secure and more prosperous. Our task is not only to remember what earlier generations achieved, but to add to it through our own work,” he said. The president said that the past year had reminded citizens of the strength of the Pakistani nation. Recalling last year’s brief military conflict with India, he said, “The events surrounding Marka-i-Haq demonstrated that Pakistan seeks peace, but also possesses the resolve and capacity to defend its sovereignty and national interests. The lesson of strength is ultimately a lesson of responsibility. A country that can defend itself must also use its strength to prevent conflict, protect peace and serve the interests of its people.” He said that the security and stability enjoyed today had come at a great cost, paying tribute to the martyrs of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and police. “Their courage and commitment have helped safeguard our nation against external aggression and the threat of terrorism. The people of Pakistan remain deeply grateful for their service,” he said. He also highlighted Pakistan efforts to facilitate dialogue in the region. “Pakistan has effectively used its channels of communication, its geographical location and diplomatic capital to encourage dialogue and de-escalation at a time when wider conflict could have serious consequences for the region and the world,” he said. He reiterated that all disputes much be ultimately addresses through dialogue and diplomacy. “Our security is linked to the peace and stability of our neighbourhood and the world at large. Pakistan will continue to support efforts that reduce tensions, protect regional stability and create conditions for cooperation,” he said. The president also went on to say that the country must focus on the work that will determine Pakistan’s future. “We must strengthen our economy, create greater opportunities for our young people, improve education and skills, strengthen institutions through series of governance, economic and social reforms to ensure that the benefits of development and democracy reach every part and community of the country,” he said. “Pakistan’s greatest strength is its young people. Across the country and around the world, they are demonstrating their talent in science, technology, business, education and the creative industries. Our responsibility is to give them the education, skills and opportunities they need to realise their potential. By investing in our youth today, we are investing in Pakistan’s future,” he added. “For ordinary Pakistanis, national progress is measured in practical terms. It means a young person finding the skills and opportunity to build a career. It means a family being able to access quality education and healthcare. It means farmers, workers, traders and businesses being able to plan for the future with greater confidence. The strength of Pakistan will ultimately be judged by whether our national progress improves the lives of its people,” President Zardari said. He also voiced Pakistan’s support for the people of occupied Kashmir, saying Pakistan will continue to support a peaceful resolution of the dispute in accordance with the aspirations of its people and the relevant United Nations resolutions. On Afghanistan, the president said that Pakistan had always respected and supported the national sovereignty of our neighbour Afghanistan and expected the same reciprocity. “It is sad that the current interim regime of Afghanistan is allowing and supporting a cocktail of terror groups to use their soil for launching attacks against neighbouring countries including Pakistan. It is sad the Taliban regime of Afghanistan is collaborating with India in launching terror attacks against Pakistani civilians and security personnel. They are doing this to distract us from the peace building efforts of Pakistan, recognised by entire world,” he said. “I warn them to stop these evil actions against the people of Pakistan and assure all and sundry that the armed forces of Pakistan are capable of defeating these evil designs,” he said. He ended his message by calling on the nation to contribute to the country’s progress in whatever field they serve. ‘Pakistan committed to defending its national interests’ Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also began his message by paying tribute to the founding leaders of Pakistan, saying the nation owed the fulfilment of its dream of an independent homeland to their vision, statesmanship and sacrifices. Highlighting the government’s economic achievements over the past two-and-a-half years, PM Shehbaz said the country had successfully navigated challenging circumstances to achieve economic stability and was now moving towards becoming a developed economy. He noted that remittances from overseas Pakistanis had increased by $11.3 billion over the past two years, which he termed a reflection of their confidence in government policies. The prime minister said harnessing modern information technology, promoting innovation-driven industrial and agricultural development, creating employment opportunities and establishing a world-class education and skills system remained among the government’s top priorities. Paying tribute to the armed forces, the prime minister said the military, under the leadership of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, had demonstrated exemplary unity and courage during Marka-i-Haq, adding another chapter to the country’s history of defence. He said Pakistan remained committed to defending its national interests, including its right to water resources, and reiterated that the country would continue to play its role as a responsible nation and a stabilising force for regional and global peace. He cited the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye as testimony to the country’s growing strategic role in the region. The prime minister also expressed solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir and the Palestinian people. He said lasting peace in South Asia was contingent upon a diplomatic resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with United Nations resolutions, international law and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The prime minister also paid tribute to the martyrs of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies who sacrificed their lives for the country, and called upon all segments of society, particularly political parties, to work together for national unity, integrity and the advancement of national interests. He concluded his message by praying for Pakistan’s continued progress and dignity in the comity of nations. ‘Pakistan’s strength lies in the unity of its people’ CDF Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu also issued a message to mark Independence Day. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the armed forces paid tribute to the Quaid and those whose sacrifices resulted in a sovereign Pakistan. “Their vision, courage and resolve remain a guiding force for the nation and continue to inspire us to uphold the principles and ideals of Pakistan,” the statement said. “The armed forces of Pakistan respectfully acknowledge the supreme sacrifices of our martyrs, the services of our veterans, the dedication of law enforcement personnel and the contributions of every Pakistani who has served the nation. Their courage and selfless service have bolstered Pakistan’s resilience and safeguarded its independence, security and national interests,” it added. “As guardians of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the armed forces reaffirm their unwavering resolve to defend the motherland against all threats, uphold the Constitution and discharge the sacred trust reposed in them by the people of Pakistan. United with the nation, the armed forces will remain steadfast in preserving peace and stability while creating an environment conducive to national progress and prosperity,” the statement said. “Pakistan’s strength lies in the unity and collective resolve of its people. On this Independence Day, let us renew our commitment to the enduring principles of faith, unity and discipline, strengthen national cohesion, promote tolerance and work together towards a secure, stable and prosperous Pakistan,” it concluded.
Pakistan 79. Bağımsızlık Yıl Dönümünde Birlik ve Reform VurgusuCoalition buys time on judges, but harder questions persist
WHILE it seems that the deadlock over judges’ appointments has been resolved for now, there are still many sticking points souring ties between the PML-N and PPP, which would have to be addressed in the days to come, Dawn has learnt. The bad blood from recriminations over the conduct of elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir had hardly settled when the two ruling allies found themselves in a standoff over the appointment of high court judges, nominated by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP). The matter, which was finally resolved on Tuesday after being delayed for several weeks, is just one of the many bumps on the road for the two coalition partners, who have recently found themselves at odds over three major issues — AJK elections, the appointments of new judges, and the reopening of a debate on new provinces. In background discussions, leaders from both parties told Dawn that while the PPP is looking to their leadership for guidance on how to proceed under the circumstances, the PML-N may prefer to defer discussion on sensitive issues — especially the question of new provinces — for as long as possible, lest it derail the coalition’s ‘marital bliss’, so to speak. PPP insiders say party still mulling course of action; PML-N wants to leave ‘touchy subject’ of new provinces for next assembly to tackle On Monday night, a crucial meeting was held in Parliament House to settle the judges’ issue. In attendance was President Asif Ali Zardari’s legal team, including his legal adviser Irfan Qadir, Sindh Law Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar and Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, meanwhile, was the sole representative from the government’s side. Arranged by the National Assembly Secretariat, the meeting was held on a single-point agenda, i.e. the delayed notification of high court judges, a source privy to the meeting told Dawn. Earlier reports had indicated that the president’s legal team had objected to the JCP proceedings, noting that nearly all PPP nominees had been rejected, and that some of the recommended candidates even had criminal records. While the government had been considering the possibility of invoking Article 48(1) of the Constitution to bypass the need for presidential approval of the decision, the option became less attractive after the Islamabad High Court took up the matter and issued notices to all parties concerned. With the matter becoming sub judice, both sides felt it was more prudent to settle the matter ‘out of court’, leading to Monday’s confab that finally broke the deadlock over the JCP-sanctioned appointments. A senior PPP office-bearer told Dawn that the meeting with the government and President Zardari’s subsequent assent for the judicial appointments were meant to avoid any adverse decision from the court. However, with around a couple of dozen judicial vacancies still to be filled, insiders say it is extremely likely that some PPP nominees will be accommodated in the next round of appointments. According to the PPP leader, the government side had assured the party that in the future, all major decisions will be taken after consultation. However, such promises have been made and broken in the past as well. Future of the coalition? When asked about the future of the coalition partnership, the leader said that barring some political skirmishes — which were par for the course — the alliance between the two parties would continue. However, the PPP office-bearer was adamant that his party would not defend any unconstitutional move, whether regarding the creation of new provinces, or any other issue. Talking to Dawn, another party leader from Karachi said that while the Presidency had broken the ice with the PML-N, party leaders are still waiting for guidance from Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on how to proceed. When asked about the thinking behind the Presidency’s relenting on the issue of judges, the party leader said that while Mr Zardari believed in the “politics of reconciliation” and was “always willing to give others some space”, his son’s stance is usually quite tough. “He does not settle for less,” the PPP leader said of Bilawal’s approach, adding: “That is why I am saying that the party’s direction on its relationship with the government will be determined by the chairman’s actions or statements, and not by the party’s response to any move initiated by the government”. The source said they expected a meeting of the PPP’s Central Executive Committee to be convened very soon, as there were several outstanding issues that warranted discussion at that forum — from the recently-strained relations with the government in the Centre to the fresh debate over new provinces or administrative units. “I think a CEC meeting would be called soon, maybe shortly after August 14. The party ranks also need clarity on several issues… [and] everyone looks towards chairman [Bilawal] for direction and policy,” he added. New provinces ‘off the table’ The PML-N, meanwhile, has also been mulling the aggressive stance adopted by the PPP on certain issues, and if the grapevine is to be believed, the party would prefer to defer discussion on these touchy subjects for as long as possible. A party leader close to the Sharif family told Dawn that the PPP was far more concerned about the proposal for new provinces, and the pressure being exerted by “the powers that be” in this regard. “President Zardari must have sought some assurances from the prime minister on this matter before agreeing to the judges’ appointments,” he said. The insider said that a proposal had been floated by the PML-N leadership that the question of creating new administrative units should be deferred for now, and placed before the next National Assembly and provincial assemblies, which would be elected in 2029. “Until then, the PML-N wants the proposal to remain off the table,” he added. Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2026
Yadgar-i-Fatah monument inaugurated in Islamabad on eve of Independence Day
The Yadgar-i-Fatah monument, built to honour Pakistan’s martyrs and commemorate Marka-i-Haq, was inaugurated by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Thursday night, on the eve of the country’s 80th Independence Day. Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were in attendance and stood for the national anthem, played by a military band. Other distinguished military officers and senior officials attended the ceremony. (From L-R) Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attend the inauguration ceremony of the Yadgar-i-Fatah monument in Islamabad on August 13, 2026. — Screengrab via YouTube/ISPR Official Addressing the ceremony, PM Shehbaz congratulated the nation on Independence Day and said that under Quaid-i-Azam’s leadership, “We entered the realm of freedom from the darkness of slavery. Our elders sacrificed their lives and property. “Yadgar-i-Fatah symbolises our resolve and determination and the domination of our armed forces over the enemy,” he added. The premier also congratulated the nation on Marka-i-Haq and paid tribute to Field Marshal Munir for his leadership during the conflict, as well as Air Chief Marshal Sidhu and Admiral Ashraf. “Under his leadership, we defeated the enemy,” PM Shehbaz said. Paying tribute to the architects and engineers who designed the monument, the premier expressed appreciation for its sleek design and eight-month completion time. “Its completion in eight months would not have been possible if the field marshal hadn’t invested his deep interest,” PM Shehbaz added. Visuals broadcast on television showed a large contingent of personnel from the military, paramilitary forces and police presenting a guard of honour, accompanied by a military band. Personnel from the military, paramilitary forces and police present their standards during the inauguration ceremony of the Yadgar-i-Fatah monument in Islamabad on August 13, 2026. — Screengrab via YouTube/ISPR Official The marble monument was completed within eight months and features five archways, which represent the five pillars of Islam, as well as the five pillars of Pakistan itself — the government, the military, the media, the people and the ideology underpinning the nation. Additionally, they represent the three branches of the military — the Army, the Air Force and the Navy — as well as cyber-defence and space warfare. As part of the inauguration, a light and sound show was presented with moving images projected directly onto the monument, state television showed. One of the sequences highlighted the history of Pakistan and its military up until Marka-i-Haq. Iconic moments from the May war were also projected onto the monument, such as when villagers and Punjab Rangers shot at Indian drones together. Moving graphics are directly projected onto the Yadgar-i-Fatah monument during its inauguration ceremony in Islamabad on August 13, 2026. — Screengrab via YouTube/PTV News Following the light show, Pakistan Air Force fighter jets performed a flypast over the monument, deploying flares in the night sky. A Pakistan Air Force fighter jet performs a flypast over the Yadgar-i-Fatah monument in Islamabad on August 13, 2026. — Screengrab via YouTube/PTV News The monument marks Pakistan’s victory over India in a brief military conflict last May. The conflict with India — starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos with a ceasefire between the two countries on May 10 — has been called “Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth) by the state. More to follow.
AJK polls: Rathore’s LA-17 Haveli victory disputed, local PML-N announces indefinite strike
MUZAFFARABAD: A controversy emerged on Wednesday after the returning officer (RO) issued Form 27 declaring PPP’s Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, the sitting AJK prime minister, the winner from LA-17 (Haveli), despite rival PML-N candidate Engineer Mohsin Aziz being assured that the form would not be issued until the Election Commission took up his complaint. The development triggered fresh tensions in Haveli district, where PML-N workers announced a complete shutter-down strike and protest from Thursday (August 13) for an indefinite period. At a meeting in Forward Kahuta, chaired by PML-N Haveli president Syed Abid Bukhari, participants demanded that the Election Commission open all polling bags from LA-17, order a recount and determine the result on the basis of the original results issued by presiding officers at the polling stations. They warned that the scope of the protest would be expanded if the demand was not accepted. Polling in the constituency had been held on Monday amid serious allegations and counter-allegations of rigging by all three major contestants — PM Rathore of PPP, PML-N’s Aziz and independent candidate Khawaja Tariq Saeed. Late on Monday evening, thousands of Aziz’s supporters gathered at the district courts, claiming that the results provided to polling agents by presiding officers on Form 24 showed their candidate leading Rathore by more than 8,000 votes, but that the RO was subsequently preparing the result in favour of the prime minister. There were also reports of some people being injured during the demonstration. The protest ended on Tuesday after Aziz said in a video message that the RO had given him a written undertaking that Form 27 would not be issued until the Election Commission in Muzaffarabad decided his claim. On Tuesday, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal had told Dawn that the Commission would take a decision after the polling bags and relevant election records reached its office. He had reportedly given a similar assurance to Aziz over the phone. The DRO, Waheed Mughal, and RO, Asheer Chughtai, both members of the subordinate judiciary, were evacuated from their offices in Forward Kahuta along with the polling bags with the help of the army’s Quick Response Force (QRF). They reached Muzaffarabad by midnight. However, the RO subsequently issued Form 27 after midnight, dated August 11, declaring Rathore the winner with 33,872 votes. Aziz secured 32,354 votes, followed by Saeed with 12,538 and IPP candidate Amir Nazir Chaudhry with 5,405. Hours later, PM Rathore said on X that his “remarkable victory had been officially notified”. “LA-17 has spoken. I thank the people of Haveli and again pledge to serve them now and forever. I’m grateful to my party leadership, specially, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Adi Faryal Talpur, for their trust, guidance and unending support amid every challenge we have faced,” he wrote. The issuance of Form 27, however, failed to settle the dispute, with reports from Haveli suggesting that tensions were rising again. In a video message recorded in Muzaffarabad, Aziz reiterated his allegation that the Form 24s handed to polling agents of all nine participating candidates contained the genuine results, while different figures were subsequently taken into consideration by the RO. He offered to have just two polling bags, rather than all of them, opened from areas where he alleged the results had been changed. If his allegation proved to be wrong, he said, he would apologise and congratulate Rathore. “If Faisal Rathore has won, why is he afraid of opening of polling bags and a subsequent recount?” he asked. Aziz also claimed that the Election Act, 2020, made it obligatory for the RO to open polling bags following a complaint by any candidate. He said that when they asked Chughtai to take the step, the RO maintained that he was unaware of the provision and did not have a copy of the Act with him. On Wednesday, senior lawyers Raja Sajjad Ahmed and Chaudhry Ghulam Nabi submitted an application to the chief election commissioner, seeking a recount of votes polled in LA-17 over alleged tampering with the results. The Election Commission announced that it would take up the matter at 10am on Thursday. In a post on X, PML-N leader and federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry called for a transparent investigation into the rigging complaint filed by Aziz, saying he hoped the Election Commission would address the allegations regarding the Haveli constituency on merit. Aziz, however, said he had little hope from the commission after what he described as its failure to prevent the issuance of the “unlawful Form 27”. “I will take my case to the people’s court apart from the superior judiciary,” he said. Meanwhile, Saeed also alleged tampering with his results and called for a recount. He claimed that he had won at nine polling stations, but the votes secured by him there had not been included in his tally and had instead been added to that of Rathore. PPP calls polls ‘rigged and violent’ Against this backdrop, the PPP also criticised the conduct of the AJK elections, with a high-level meeting of the party in Islamabad describing the polls as “rigged and violent” and expressing serious concern over the role of the AJK Election Commission. The meeting, chaired by PPP Women’s Wing president and AJK affairs in-charge Faryal Talpur, also criticised the phase-wise conduct of the elections and demanded the immediate completion of polling in the remaining two districts of the third phase and seven constituencies of Poonch so that the Legislative Assembly could be fully constituted. The participants raised questions over the suspension of internet services, shortages of polling material and staff at some polling stations, and alleged inadequate security arrangements. Talpur said the PPP was the representative party of the people of AJK and had continued to enjoy strong public support despite challenging circumstances. On the other hand, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the PML-N had secured a clear lead in the elections and would have 24 general seats, with another six reserved seats, taking its strength to 30. In his post on X, he said the AJK Assembly session would be convened next week for the swearing-in of members and election of reserved seats, followed by elections for the speaker and prime minister. Chaudhry described the elections as free, fair and credible, saying there had been “zero tolerance” for misconduct or rigging. He cited the arrest of a candidate in LA-6 (Mirpur) for taking away a ballot box from a polling station as an example of action against electoral misconduct.
All but three new judges sworn in after Zardari’s nod
• Three SHC additional judges to take oath today ISLAMABAD: Sixteen of the 19 additional judges of the four high courts across the country were sworn in on Tuesday within hours after President Asif Ali Zardari assented to their appointments, ending a weeks-long deadlock between the Presidency and the PML-N government over the judicial appointments. A permanent judge of the Lahore High Court (LHC) and four Peshawar High Court (PHC) permanent judges also took their oath the same day after the president approved their confirmations. Of the 19 additional judges, 10 were appointed to the LHC and three each to the Islamabad, Balochistan and Sindh high courts. The new appointments were made for one year from the date of their oath. While all the newly appointed judges took oath of their offices, the three additional judges of the SHC will be sworn in on Wednesday. The appointments of additional judges and confirmation of permanent judges had been pending since July 20 and July 21, when the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) — the body responsible for appointing judges to the superior judiciary — recommended them. After approval of the summary based on the JCP recommendations and forwarded by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the Presidency, the Ministry of Law and Justice issued notifications. The oath-taking ceremony for the additional judges, scheduled for July 27, was indefinitely postponed after President Zardari neither approved the summary nor returned it for reconsideration. The government maintained there was no legal justification for the delay. The president’s legal team had raised objections to the JCP proceedings, noting that nearly all PPP nominees were rejected and that some recommended candidates had criminal records. The delay prompted the federal government to consider invoking Article 48(1) of the Constitution to bypass presidential approval, arguing that the president was required to act on the summary within a fortnight, sources said. However, officials later maintained that, with the matter sub judice, notifications could not be issued. Sources said the government’s legal team planned to seek an “out-of-court” settlement with the Presidency. The approvals followed a meeting between the two legal teams, with sources describing the matter as “on its way to resolution”. Another meeting was expected in the coming days. The delay had created practical difficulties for the high courts. Four PHC additional judges whose confirmation had been recommended by the JCP ceased to hold office after their terms expired on August 4. Similarly, the term of SHC Additional Judge Justice Khalid Hussain Shahani expired on July 29 after completion of his six-month extension. To address the issue, the law ministry’s notifications said the four PHC judges’ appointments would take effect from July 20, the date of the JCP recommendations. Justice Shahani’s term was also extended for six months from July 29. The judges The JCP had recommended 19 additional judges — 10 for the LHC and three each for the IHC, SHC and BHC. Five additional judges were also confirmed as permanent, while the term of SHC Additional Judge Justice Khalid Hussain Shahani was extended by six months. The LHC nominees were Shireen Imran, Aamir Ajam Malik, Asad Ali Bajwa, Barrister Muhammad Usman Ghani Rashid Cheema, Ghulam Sarwar Nihung, Khalid Ibn-i-Aziz, Muhammad Ajmal Khan Zahid, Muhammad Amjad Pervaiz, Munawar Iqbal Duggal and Syed Farhad Ali Shah. The SHC nominees were Muhammad Humayon Khan, District and Sessions Judge Suresh Kumar and Dr Shah Nawaz Memon, while the IHC nominees were District and Sessions Judge Shahrukh Arjumand, Ayyaz Shaukat and Umair Majeed Malik. The BHC nominees were District and Sessions Judges Allah Dad Roshan and Abdul Qayyum Lehri and Muhammad Rauf Atta. The four PHC additional judges confirmed as permanent were Justices Farah Jamshed, Inamullah Khan, Sabitullah Khan and Aurangzeb. LHC Additional Judge Justice Tariq Mehmood Bajwa was also confirmed as a permanent judge. IHC plea The matter had also been sub judice before the IHC, where advocate Luqman Zafar Chaudhary had challenged the delay in notifying the appointments. On Tuesday, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir adjourned the petition after counsel Zahid Asif Chaudhry requested the court to keep it pending until the law ministry issued a formal notification. Other approvals President Zardari also approved the equalisation of the salaries, allowances and pensions of Supreme Court judges with those of Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) judges. He also approved amendments to the 1997 order concerning the leave, pensions and privileges of high court judges, and assented to the appointment of Haroon Akhtar as adviser to the prime minister on industries and production. He also approved five summaries, including three bills, including the Export-Import Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill 2026, the Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) (Amendment) Bill 2026, and the Federal Board of Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2026. Oath-taking Ten additional LHC judges took oath at a ceremony administered by Chief Justice Aalia Neelum. Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa also took oath as a permanent judge after completing his probationary period. With the new appointments, 10 vacancies remain against the LHC’s sanctioned strength of 60 judges. The number will rise to 11 next week following the retirement of Justice Shahid Karim. CJ Muhammad Kamran Khan Malakhail administered the oath to three new BHC additional judges — Muhammad Rauf Atta, Allah Dad Roshan and Abdul Qayyum Lehri — at a ceremony attended by judges, lawyers and judicial officers. The three new SHC additional judges — Muhammad Humayon Khan, District Judge Suresh Kumar and Dr Shah Nawaz Memon — will take oath at the main SHC building on Wednesday (today). Chief Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput will administer the oath. With input from Wajih Ahmed Sheikh in Lahore, Saleem Shahid in Quetta and Ishaq Tanoli in Karachi Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2026
President Zardari confers Nishan-i-Imtiaz on National Strategic Command Commander Gen Aamer Raza
President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on General Aamer Raza, commander of the National Strategic Command, during an investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-i-Sadr, Islamabad. On July 31, President Zardari approved the conferment of the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on Gen Raza. According to state media, the ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the services chiefs, and senior military and government officials. In July, he was promoted to the rank of a four-star general and appointed to the position of Commander of the National Strategic Command (CNSC), according to an announcement by PM Shehbaz. The CNSC post was created under last year’s 27th Constitutional Amendment, which made significant changes to the military’s chain of command, to assume the nuclear manager role previously exercised by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), a post which was abolished. Gen Raza has previously been awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-i-Basalat (Star of Valour). Before his elevation, he was serving as the chief of general staff — the army’s principal operational appointment — and oversaw the implementation of organisational changes necessitated by the 27th Amendment and the restructuring that followed last year’s conflict with India, including the establishment of the Army Rocket Force Command. A cavalry officer from the Officers Training School (OTS) and commissioned into the 6th Lancers in 1988, he has commanded an armoured regiment, an armoured brigade, an infantry brigade in South Waziristan, an infantry division, and Lahore’s IV Corps. He also headed Heavy Industries Taxila and served as the director general of Weapons and Equipment and the chief of staff at II Corps. Gen Raza has, however, not served in the Strategic Plans Division, the Army Strategic Forces Command or the country’s strategic missile programme, with his career largely rooted in conventional operations and force development.
President Zardari approves additional judges' appointments to high courts, ending weeks-long deadlock
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday gave his assent to the appointment of additional judges for the five high courts, along with confirmation of some as permanent judges, ending a weeks-long deadlock between the Presidency and the government over the judicial appointments. “The president has approved the appointment of additional judges in the Lahore High Court (LHC), Sindh High Court (SHC), Peshawar High Court (PHC), Islamabad High Court (IHC), and Balochistan High Court (BHC),” the Presidency said in a statement. It added that he had also given his assent to the confirmation of certain additional judges of SHC and LHC as permanent judges. The appointments and confirmations were pending since July 20 and 21, when the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) — the body responsible for appointing judges to the superior judiciary — recommended them. The JCP had recommended the confirmation of four additional judges of the Peshawar High Court, a six-month extension for an additional judge of the SHC, and the appointment of 19 additional judges to the Lahore, Islamabad, Sindh and Balochistan high courts. Under Clause 8 of Article 175-A of the Constitution, the recommendations were forwarded to the prime minister, who then sent the summary to the president. However, the summary had remained pending with the president since then. The president’s legal team had raised certain objections to the JCP proceedings, noting that nearly all nominees proposed by the PPP were rejected. They had also conveyed that some candidates recommended for appointment had criminal records. Meanwhile, the delay in the presidential assent had begun to affect the functioning of the superior judiciary and created practical complications. Four additional judges of the PHC, whose confirmations were recommended by the JCP, ceased to hold office after their tenure expired on August 4 due to the absence of formal notifications. Similarly, an additional judge of the SHC, whose term had already been extended by six months once, relinquished office after his tenure expired on July 29. Amid the stalemate, the government had also been examining the possibility of invoking Article 48(1) of the Constitution to issue the notifications through the law ministry, arguing that the president was required to act on the summary within a fortnight of its submission — a period that has since expired. However, government functionaries later maintained that with the matter now sub judice, notifications could not be issued at this stage. Sources had said the government’s legal team planned to pursue an “out-of-court” settlement with its counterparts at the Presidency. For its part, the Presidency’s legal team had contended that Article 175-A did not prescribe a specific timeframe for the president’s action and that the provision could not be overridden by Article 48(1) to bypass the Presidency. They had also referred to Article 48(2), which empowered the president “to act in his discretion in respect of any matter in respect of which he is empowered by the Constitution to do so” and states that the validity of anything done by the president shall not be called into question on any ground whatsoever. On the other hand, government sources had maintained that judicial appointments were governed by constitutional provisions and that any deadlock must be resolved strictly in accordance with the Constitution. Meanwhile, a plea challenging the delay in the president’s approval had also been filed in the IHC. The IHC reserved its verdict on the maintainability of a petition filed by advocate Luqman Chaudhary through his counsel Zahid Chaudhry on Monday, seeking a direction to the president to approve the summary. Other approval Apart from giving his nod to the judges’ appointments and confirmations, President Zardari also approved the equalisation of the salaries, allowances, and pensions of Supreme Court judges with those of judges of the Federal Constitutional Court. Moreover, he approved amendments to the 1997 order relating to the leave, pensions, and privileges of high court judges, the Presidency said, adding that he also gave his assent to the appointment of Haroon Akhtar as advisor to the prime minister on industries and production.
President Zardari gives nod to additional judges' appointments to high courts after days-long delay
After a days-long delay, President Asif Ali Zardari gave his assent to the appointment and confirmation of additional judges for various high courts on Tuesday. “The president has approved the appointment of additional judges in the Lahore High Court (LHC), Sindh High Court (SHC), Peshawar High Court, Islamabad High Court, and Balochistan High Court,” the Presidency said in a statement, adding that he had also given his assent to the confirmation of certain additional judges of the SHC and LHC as permanent judges. The appointments and confirmations were pending since July 20 and 21, when the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) — the body responsible for appointing judges to the superior judiciary — recommended them. The JCP had recommended the confirmation of four additional judges of the Peshawar High Court, a six-month extension for an additional judge of the SHC, and the appointment of 19 additional judges to the Lahore, Islamabad, Sindh and Balochistan high courts. Under Clause 8 of Article 175-A of the Constitution, the recommendations were forwarded to the prime minister, who then sent the summary to the president. However, the summary had remained pending with the president since then. The president’s legal team had raised certain objections to the JCP proceedings, noting that nearly all nominees proposed by the PPP were rejected. They had also conveyed that some candidates recommended for appointment had criminal records. Meanwhile, the delay in the presidential assent had begun to affect the functioning of the superior judiciary and created practical complications. Four additional judges of the PHC, whose confirmations were recommended by the JCP, ceased to hold office after their tenure expired on August 4 due to the absence of formal notifications. Similarly, an additional judge of the SHC, whose term was extended by six months, relinquished office after his tenure expired on July 29. Amid the stalemate, the government had also been examining the possibility of invoking Article 48(1) of the Constitution to issue the notifications through the law ministry, arguing that the president was required to act on the summary within a fortnight of its submission — a period that has since expired. However, government functionaries later maintained that with the matter now sub judice, notifications could be issued at this stage. Sources had said the government’s legal team planned to pursue an “out-of-court” settlement with its counterparts at the Presidency. For its part, the Presidency’s legal team had contended that Article 175-A did not prescribe a specific timeframe for the president’s action and that the provision could not be overridden by Article 48(1) to bypass the Presidency. They had also referred to Article 48(2), which empowered the president “to act in his discretion in respect of any matter in respect of which he is empowered by the Constitution to do so” and states that the validity of anything done by the president shall not be called into question on any ground whatsoever. On the other hand, government sources had maintained that judicial appointments were governed by constitutional provisions and that any deadlock must be resolved strictly in accordance with the Constitution. Meanwhile, a plea challenging the delay in the president’s approval had also been filed in the IHC. The IHC reserved its verdict on the maintainability of a petition filed by advocate Luqman Chaudhary through his counsel Zahid Chaudhry on Monday, seeking a direction to the president to approve the summary. Other approval Apart from giving his nod to the judges’ appointments and confirmations, President Zardari also approved the equalisation of the salaries, allowances, and pensions of Supreme Court judges with those of judges of the Federal Constitutional Court. Moreover, he approved amendments to the 1997 order relating to the leave, pensions, and privileges of high court judges, the Presidency said, adding that he also gave his assent to the appointment of Haroon Akhtar as advisor to the prime minister on industries and production.
President Zardari approves additional judges' appointments to high courts after days-long delay
After a days-long delay, President Asif Ali Zardari gave his assent to the appointment and confirmation of additional judges for various high courts on Tuesday. “The president has approved the appointment of additional judges in the Lahore High Court (LHC), Sindh High Court (SHC), Peshawar High Court, Islamabad High Court, and Balochistan High Court,” the Presidency said in a statement, adding that he had also given his assent to the confirmation of certain additional judges of the SHC and LHC as permanent judges. The appointments and confirmations were pending since July 20 and 21, when the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) — the body responsible for appointing judges to the superior judiciary — recommended them. The JCP had recommended the confirmation of four additional judges of the Peshawar High Court, a six-month extension for an additional judge of the SHC, and the appointment of 19 additional judges to the Lahore, Islamabad, Sindh and Balochistan high courts. Under Clause 8 of Article 175-A of the Constitution, the recommendations were forwarded to the prime minister, who then sent the summary to the president. However, the summary had remained pending with the president since then. The president’s legal team had raised certain objections to the JCP proceedings, noting that nearly all nominees proposed by the PPP were rejected. They had also conveyed that some candidates recommended for appointment had criminal records. Meanwhile, the delay in the presidential assent had begun to affect the functioning of the superior judiciary. Amid the stalemate, the government had also been examining the possibility of invoking Article 48(1) of the Constitution to issue the notifications through the law ministry, arguing that the president was required to act on the summary within a fortnight of its submission — a period that has since expired. However, government functionaries later maintained that with the matter now sub judice, notifications could be issued at this stage. Sources had said the government’s legal team planned to pursue an “out-of-court” settlement with its counterparts at the Presidency. For its part, the Presidency’s legal team had contended that Article 175-A did not prescribe a specific timeframe for the president’s action and that the provision could not be overridden by Article 48(1) to bypass the Presidency. They had also referred to Article 48(2), which empowered the president “to act in his discretion in respect of any matter in respect of which he is empowered by the Constitution to do so” and states that the validity of anything done by the president shall not be called into question on any ground whatsoever. On the other hand, government sources had maintained that judicial appointments were governed by constitutional provisions and that any deadlock must be resolved strictly in accordance with the Constitution. More to follow
Govt-Presidency deadlock over judges’ appointment ‘close to resolution’
• Legal teams hold ‘positive’ talks, hope to resolve issue amicably • IHC seeks reports over delay in notifying judges • Asks govt to explain constitutional implications of keeping PM’s advice pending ISLAMABAD: As the Islamabad High Court on Monday expressed concern over the delay in notifying the appointment and confirmation of high court judges and sought reports, the deadlock over the issue is likely to end in the next couple of days following a positive meeting between the legal teams of the Presidency and the federal government. Sources privy to the development told Dawn that the “matter is on its way to resolution”. They said another meeting between the two legal teams was likely to be held in the next couple of days and expressed the hope that the issue would be resolved amicably. The sources, however, expressed surprise over the proceedings before the IHC, saying that the bench had earlier questioned the maintainability of a petition seeking directives for the federal government to issue notifications regarding the appointment and confirmation of judges, but subsequently appeared to have adopted a different approach. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir of the IHC had reserved his order on the maintainability of the petition on August 6. According to the sources, the petition was fixed for hearing on Monday without the issuance of a proper cause list, while the judge adjourned the matter for the day after passing an order. The sources said the matter essentially involved the constitutional roles and authority of the President and the government and should be settled through mutual understanding. They cautioned that any unilateral action, even if taken pursuant to a court order, could be viewed as being in bad taste. The IHC order The IHC issued a ruling on a public interest petition challenging President Asif Ali Zardari’s delay in approving judicial appointments, directing the government to explain the constitutional consequences of keeping the prime minister’s advice pending for an indefinite period. Justice Arbab Tahir issued notices to President Zardari, the federation and the attorney general and directed them to submit separate concise reports explaining the timeline and present status of the summary forwarded by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concerning the judicial appointments. The petition was filed by Advocate Luqman Zafar through his counsel Zahid Asif Chaudhry against delay by the president in approving the judicial appointments recommended by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP). The JCP recommended the appointment of 19 additional judges and confirmation of five judges of the high courts during its meetings held on July 20 and 21. The summary was subsequently forwarded by PM Shehbaz to President Zardari for assent under Article 48 of the Constitution. However, the president has yet to accord his assent to the summary. During Monday’s proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel argued that Article 48(1) of the Constitution used the expression “shall”, imposing a constitutional obligation on the president to act on the advice tendered by the prime minister. The proviso to Article 48(1) permits the president to return the advice for reconsideration within 15 days, after which the president is required to act within 10 days on the advice tendered after reconsideration. The counsel relied on judicial precedents to argue that the president was constitutionally bound to act on the prime minister’s advice and could not convert the constitutional process into a power of indefinite deferral or veto. He contended that the prolonged delay in implementing the judicial appointments was adversely affecting the administration of justice and the public’s fundamental right to timely access to justice, particularly when the superior courts were already facing an increasing backlog of cases. Justice Tahir directed that notices be served through all modes of service. Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez was also directed to ensure that the respondents submitted separate concise reports specifying the dates on which the advice was submitted to the president and the action, if any, taken thereon. The case has been fixed for hearing on Tuesday. The delay has already created practical complications for the high courts. Four additional judges of the PHC whose confirmation had been recommended by JCP, ceased to hold office after their tenure expired on Aug 4 in the absence of formal notifications. Similarly, an additional judge of the SHC, whose term had been extended for six months, relinquished office after his tenure expired on July 29. The oath-taking ceremony for the judges had been scheduled for July 27 but was indefinitely postponed after President Zardari neither accorded assent to the summary nor returned it for reconsideration, with the government maintaining there was no legal justification for keeping it pending. Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2026
OIC hails Makkah defence deal as PM returns
THE PM House is illuminated in green and red lights, depicting the national flags of the three signatories, on the eve of celebrations marking the defence agreement.—APP • Shehbaz visits Madina before departure • Turkish minister says pact same as Nato’s Article 5 • Bilawal terms it historic document for regional peace ISLAMABAD: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has welcomed the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, terming it an “important strategic step”. The pact aims to strengthen collective deterrence and empowers the three states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them. In a statement posted on X, OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha expressed his “strong appreciation and support” for the agreement, describing it as an “important strategic step” that reflected the three countries’ commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the pact during the “Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence”. Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif were also present at the signing ceremony. Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly has said the new tripartite agreement “does not supersede or replace any existing bilateral or multilateral agreements between these countries”. Earlier, the Turkish president said the pact targets no country and remains open to participation of other friendly nations seeking peace. On Saturday morning, the prime minister paid a visit to Masjid-i-Nabvi in Madina. He then departed for Pakistan from the Madina airport, where he was seen off by Madina Governor Prince Salman bin Sultan Al Saud. ‘Erdogan wants alliance to grow’ Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the defence pact is technically the same as Nato’s Article 5 mutual defence agreement, adding that the accord is not targeting Iran, Reuters reported. He added that a committee of ministers similar to that within Nato would be formed as part of the alliance, as well as a general secretariat based in Saudi Arabia, but that operational details would be set at the first committee meeting. He further said Turkish President Erdogan wanted to see the alliance expand, and that Egypt was a potential candidate to join, among others. Meanwhile, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq welcomed the signing of the agreement, describing it as a significant milestone for regional peace. Also, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, also a former foreign minister, hailed the agreement as a “significant milestone” in the country’s history. In a post on X, he noted that the pact was a “historic development that will further strengthen our defence capabilities”. “This agreement is not only a guarantee of a stable and secure future for Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, but also a historic document for regional and global peace,” he emphasised. The PPP chairman also praised the roles of PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir “in making the agreement possible”. Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2026
Başbakan Şahbaz, Suudi Arabistan'a Üç Günlük Ziyarete BaşladıEfforts underway to end deadlock over judges’ appointments
• Govt’s legal team set to meet Presidency officials as summary remains pending with Zardari • Officials say matter now sub judice after petition filed in IHC ISLAMABAD: In a last-ditch effort to break the deadlock over judicial appointments, the government’s legal team has scheduled a meeting with its counterparts at the Presidency on Sunday, as authorities explore the possibility of unilaterally notifying the confirmation and appointment of high court judges. The development comes as the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has yet to issue its ruling on the maintainability of a petition challenging President Asif Ali Zardari’s alleged failure to assent to the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. The JCP, during its meetings on July 20 and 21, recommended the confirmation of four additional judges of the Peshawar High Court, a six-month extension for an additional judge of the Sindh High Court, and the appointment of 19 additional judges to the Lahore, Islamabad, Sindh and Balochistan high courts. Under Clause 8 of Article 175-A of the Constitution, the recommendations were forwarded to the prime minister, who then sent the summary to the president. However, the summary has remained pending with the president since then. Amid the stalemate, the government is examining the possibility of invoking Article 48(1) of the Constitution to issue the notifications through the law ministry, arguing that the president was required to act on the summary within a fortnight of its submission — a period that has since expired. However, government functionaries have maintained that with the matter now sub judice, notifications cannot be issued at this stage. Sources said the government’s legal team planned to pursue an “out-of-court” settlement with its counterparts at the Presidency. The president’s legal team has raised certain objections to the JCP proceedings, noting that nearly all nominees proposed by the PPP were rejected. They also conveyed that some candidates recommended for appointment have criminal records. The Presidency’s legal team contends that Article 175-A does not prescribe a specific timeframe for the president’s action and that the provision cannot be overridden by Article 48(1) to bypass the Presidency. They have also referred to Article 48(2), which empowers the president “to act in his discretion in respect of any matter in respect of which he is empowered by the Constitution to do so” and states that validity of anything done by the president shall not be called into question on any ground whatsoever. Sources in the Presidency cautioned that any unilateral action in such a sensitive matter would be a “political and legal disaster”. According to them, the only way forward is to reach a consensus through democratic means. They warned that bypassing the prescribed procedure could trigger significant complications and suggested that any ambiguity regarding Articles 48(1), 48(2) and 175-A(8) should be resolved through mutual consultation between the president and the prime minister rather than through unilateral action. On the other hand, government sources maintained that judicial appointments were governed by constitutional provisions and that any deadlock must be resolved strictly in accordance with the Constitution. Meanwhile, the IHC has reserved its verdict on the maintainability of a petition filed by advocate Luqman Chaudhary through his counsel Zahid Chaudhry, seeking a direction to the president to approve the summary. During Thursday’s hearing, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir questioned how the court could issue directions to the president and reserved his order. It was initially expected that the ruling would be issued the same day, but Justice Arbab left his office without delivering it. The order was then anticipated on Friday morning, but the file had not been returned from the judge’s chamber by the close of business. The delay has already created practical complications. Four additional judges of the PHC, whose confirmations were recommended by the JCP, ceased to hold office after their tenure expired on Aug 4 due to the absence of formal notifications. Similarly, an additional judge of the SHC, whose term was extended by six months, relinquished office after his tenure expired on July 29. Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said the government would resolve the matter within the constitutional framework and in accordance with the principles laid down by the superior courts. Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2026
10 terrorists killed in 2 separate operations in KP: ISPR
The military’s media affairs wing said on Friday that 10 terrorists were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a day earlier. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the terrorists belonged to Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khwarij — a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. It said that in the first encounter, a group of terrorists attempted to attack security forces’ checkposts in Azam Warsak area in South Waziristan. “The attempt was effectively thwarted by own troops. During ensuing fire exchange, eight khwarij were sent to hell through effective and precise engagements by own troops,” it said. “In another encounter that took place in Dir district, own troops successfully neutralised two more khwarij,” it added. ISPR said that weapons and ammunition were also seized from killed terrorists, who remained “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area”. It said sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area, adding that the counterterrorism campaign would continue at full pace to wipe out “the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country”. President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the country’s security forces for eliminating the terrorists and commended their professionalism in thwarting the attack in Azam Warsak. “The nation stands with its brave security forces and law enforcement agencies and views their sacrifices against terrorism with utmost appreciation,” he said. “The nefarious designs of terrorist elements active under Indian sponsorship will be thwarted at any cost,” he added. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised security forces for the successful operations. “The nefarious designs of elements spreading terrorism under Indian patronage will be thwarted at any cost. The government and the entire nation stand with the security forces in the war against terrorism,” he asserted. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, an Islamabad-based think tank, violence linked to terrorist attacks and counter-terrorism operations intensified sharply in July, making it the deadliest month of 2026, with 112 security personnel among 205 people killed.
Balochistan'da İki Operasyonda 12 Terörist ÖldürüldüGovt mulls bypassing Zardari’s assent for judges’ appointment
• President has yet to approve summary for JCP-recommended hirings • Govt reviewing possibility of issuing notifications under Article 48(1) • Presidency sources warn bypassing procedure may lead to complications • IHC reserves verdict on maintainability of plea challenging delay in notifying appointments ISLAMABAD: The federal government is considering notifying the appointment and confirmation of high court judges despite President Asif Ali Zardari not having formally accorded assent to the recommendations made by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), sources told Dawn. The JCP, during its meetings held on July 20 and 21, recommended the appointment of 19 additional judges to the high courts, confirmed the services of four additional judges of the Peshawar High Court and one additional judge of the Lahore High Court, and extended the tenure of an additional judge of the Sindh High Court by six months. However, the appointments have yet to be notified by the Ministry of Law and Justice as the president has not formally approved the summary. According to informed sources, the government is examining the possibility of invoking Article 48(1) of the Constitution to issue the notification, arguing that the president was required to act on the summary within a fortnight of its submission. Since that period has expired, they believe the government may proceed with the appointments. The sources said the delay had already created practical complications. Four additional judges of the Peshawar High Court, whose services were confirmed by the JCP, ceased to hold office after the expiry of their tenure on Aug 4 due to the absence of a formal notification. Similarly, an additional judge of the Sindh High Court, whose tenure had been extended by the JCP for another six months, also relinquished office after his term expired on July 29. When contacted, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said the government would resolve the matter within the constitutional framework and in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Constitution and the principles laid down by the superior courts. However, sources in the Presidency cautioned against bypassing the prescribed procedure, warning that any such move could trigger political and legal complications. They said Articles 48(1) and 48(2), which define the respective constitutional roles of the president and the prime minister, as well as Article 175A(8), which deals with the appointment of judges, left room for differing interpretations. According to Presidency sources, any ambiguity should be resolved through mutual consultation between the president and the prime minister rather than through unilateral action. On the other hand, government sources maintained that judicial appointments were governed by constitutional provisions and that any deadlock must be resolved strictly in accordance with the Constitution. IHC reserves verdict on plea The Islamabad High Court reserved its verdict on the maintainability of a plea challenging President Zardari’s delay in approving a summary for the appointment and confirmation of judges to various high courts. The writ petition, filed by advocate Luqman Zafar Chaudhary through his counsel Zahid Asif Chaudhry, urged the court to direct the president to approve the summary forwarded by the prime minister for the judicial appointments recommended by the JCP. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir took up the plea on Thursday, with the petitioner’s counsel arguing that the JCP had recommended the appointments during its meetings on July 20 and 21. He contended that the summary had reportedly not been approved by the president even after 15 days had passed. The petitioner’s counsel told the court that reports suggested the government might issue notifications for the appointments in the next 48 hours. During the hearing, the contents of his client’s plea were also read out on the court’s direction, and Justice Tahir repeatedly questioned whether a constitutional petition could be maintained against the president. He asked the counsel to cite any precedent in which a writ had been issued against the president. The court also observed that the judgements cited by the petitioner did not support the proposition advanced by his counsel for issuing directives to the president. The court asked the lawyer to identify any decision in which a court had issued directions to the president regarding the exercise of powers under Article 48 of the Constitution. Article 48 states that the president shall act “on and in accordance with the advice of the cabinet or the prime minister”. However, it adds that the president can ask the cabinet or the PM to reconsider the advice within 15 days of receiving it and shall act in accordance with the advice tendered after reconsideration within 10 days. Sources in the Presidency have contended that the provision also empowered the president and did not set a timeframe for appointments. They cited its second clause, which states: “The president shall act in his discretion in respect of any matter in respect of which he is empowered by the Constitution to do so.” However, legal experts have noted that the SC had previously held that the president lacked discretion in appointing superior court judges and must follow the PM’s advice. The petitioner’s lawyer argued that notifications for judicial appointments were usually issued by the law ministry after the president’s approval, but the ministry could issue them even without presidential assent. He contended that the president’s role in the process was ceremonial and that if approval was withheld, the competent authority should proceed with issuing the notification. After hearing his arguments, the court declined the request to issue notices at this stage and reserved its decision on the maintainability of the petition. Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026
Youm-i-Istehsal: Pakistan says lasting peace in South Asia linked to peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute
The military and civilian leadership on Wednesday said just and lasting peace in South Asia was closely linked to the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute as the country marked Youm-i-Istehsal (Exploitation Day) to mark the anniversary of India revoking the occupied region’s special autonomy in 2019. President Asif Ali Zardari said that Youm-i-Istehsal was being observed to “reaffirm our unwavering solidarity” with the people of occupied Kashmir. “We pay tribute to their courage, resilience and commitment to their just struggle for the realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination,” he said. The president said that seven years have passed since India’s “illegal and unilateral actions” of August 5, 2019, when it revoked the region’s special autonomy. “These actions cannot change the legal status of the dispute, nor can they weaken the resolve of the Kashmiri people,” he said. “For seven years, millions of Kashmiris have continued to live under severe restrictions that have affected every aspect of daily life. Families have endured uncertainty, young people have seen their opportunities constrained and entire communities have continued to bear the burden of prolonged conflict and instability. Despite these hardships, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice and their legitimate right to determine their own future,” President Zardari said. He said that Pakistan remained unwavering in its moral, political and diplomatic support for the people of occupied Kashmir. “We will continue to raise our voice at every international forum until the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” he said. The president said that just and lasting peace in South Asia was closely linked to the peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute, urging the international community to play its role in addressing the human rights situation in the occupied valley. “To my Kashmiri brothers and sisters, I say: Pakistan stands firmly with you. Your courage in the face of adversity inspires us. You are not alone. The people of Pakistan will continue to stand by you until your legitimate right to self-determination is realised,” he said. In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the people and the government of Pakistan “stand in unwavering solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters”. He said that seven years later, India’s unlawful measures had neither changed the legal status of occupied Kashmir nor diminished the legitimate aspiration of its people. “Instead, they have deepened repression, undermined fundamental freedom, and accelerated attempts to alter the demographic composition of the occupied territory through unlawful legislative and administrative measures. The continued suppression of the genuine Kashmiri political leadership, restrictions on civil liberties, and curbs on independent media, remain a matter of serious concern,” he said. “Despite these challenges, the courage, resilience and steadfastness of the Kashmiri people remain unshaken. Their peaceful and just struggle for the realization of their unalienable right to self-determination continues to inspire generations and commands the respect and support of all those who believe in justice, human dignity and the rule of international law,” he added. The premier said that the Kashmir dispute remained the “principal unresolved issue affecting peace and stability in South Asia”. “Lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved by coercion or unilateral action, but only through a peaceful settlement of the dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant UNSC resolutions. The international community must move beyond expressions of concern and play its rightful role in advancing a just and durable resolution of the dispute,” he said. He reaffirmed that a peaceful and just resolution of the dispute remained a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, adding that Pakistan would continue to “extend its diplomatic, political and moral support and raise the voice of the Kashmiri people at every regional and international forum”. PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan called upon the international community to urge India to end its human rights violations in occupied Kashmir, reverse its “illegal and unilateral measures” introduced since August 2019, repeal the draconian laws imposed upon the people and create conducive environment to enable the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, through the exercise of the right to self-determination by the Kashmiri people in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions. Armed forces reaffirm solidarity with Kashmiris Separately, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu reaffirm their unwavering solidarity with the resilient and courageous people of occupied Kashmir. A statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations said, “The armed forces of Pakistan reiterate their steadfast support for the legitimate struggle of Kashmiri people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in international law and the relevant UNSC resolutions.” They said that the continued occupation of the valley remained a matter of “serious concern”. “Such actions, coupled with provocative rhetoric and belligerent posturing, serve only to exacerbate regional instability and perpetuate human suffering,” they said. “It is explicitly evident that lasting peace and stability in South Asia are intrinsically linked to the just and peaceful settlement of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant UNSC resolutions,” they added.
Pakistan: Güney Asya'da Kalıcı Barış Keşmir Sorununun Barışçıl Çözümüne BağlıAJK elections: Voting concludes in two constituencies as PPP again alleges rigging
ISLAMABAD: Voting in two AJK constituencies concluded on Tuesday after it could not be held on the scheduled date of Aug 2 during the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, as the PPP again alleged rigging. Authorities had postponed polling in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I (Kutla) and at 71 of the 174 polling stations in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II (Lachhrat) due to landslides and bad weather, which had resulted in blocked roads. Elections in AJK are being held in three phases due to security concerns, with polling having been held on seven seats of Muzaffarabad division and 12 refugee seats — reserved seats for refugees from India-occupied Kashmir — on Sunday. In the third phase, elections will be held in 11 constituencies of Poonch division on August 10. The first phase of polling was held in AJK’s Mirpur division on July 27, in which the PML-N had secured nine of the 13 seats while the PPP won the remaining four. The two parties, which are allies in Centre, have been engaged in a war of words since, with the PPP accusing the PML-N of rigging, violence and electoral malpractices. Rigging allegations It levelled the same allegations on Tuesday, with the party posting a complaint on its X account that it said it had sent to the Election Commission. It claimed that polling staff had been “caught red-handed with official ballot papers and polling bags inside the house of a PML-N supporter, approximately two kilometres from the designated polling site” in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I (Kotla) in union council Bheri. The PPP claimed it had “concrete evidence” that polling staff at polling station no.3 had moved to the residence of a PML-N candidate and abandoned their post. It also shared a statement by PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman on X, with her saying that and the reports of the presence of polling staff at a PML-N supporter’s residence were concerning. She said videos related to “rigging by the PML-N” had been handed over to the Election Commission as evidence and demanded immediate disciplinary and legal action. When Dawn asked Election Commission official Khawaja Muhammed Ahsan about the videos, he said a PPP worker had shared some videos, but “they are vague and amount to a little more than unverified allegations”. “Unless the footage is authenticated through proper forensic examination and corroborated by other credible evidence, it cannot be treated as proof,” he added. Meanwhile, the PPP shared another complaint addressed to the Election Commission on X. It accused the PML-N of ballot stuffing at polling stations no.95 and no.97 in LA-28 and of obstructing the polling process by barring voters from casting their votes. The PPP also alleged that at polling station no.92 in LA-27, the presiding officer was stuffing ballots and called for him to be replaced by someone “neutral”. In yet another complaint, the PPP accused PML-N workers of firing in Bandi in LA-28 to “terrorise the residents of Bandi and keep them inside their homes so that they do not proceed to the polling stations”. Tallal Chaudhry tells Bilawal to ’show grace in defeat’ Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior and PML-N’s election coordinator for Poonch division, Tallal Chaudhry, rejected earlier allegations of rigging made by PPP in the AJK elections and took a swipe at PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, saying “leaders should not cry over defeat”, according to a statement issued by the interior ministry. Presiding over a review meeting on the third phase of AJK elections in Poonch division, Chaudhry said PML-N’s sweeping victory in the first two phases was a reflection of public trust in the performance of the federal and Punjab governments. “The people of Kashmir have voted for work and performance,” he told district constituency coordinators and PML-N candidates from Poonch division who attended the meeting. Seemingly responding to PPP’s allegations related to electoral malpractices, the minister said: “Bilawal Bhutto should show a big heart. Leaders do not look good when they cry over defeat.” He added that the mandate given to PML-N in AJK showed that “every part of Pakistan wants to become like Punjab” in terms of development and governance. He expressed confidence that the PML-N would secure a majority of seats in the third phase of the AJK elections. A day earlier, Bilawal had warned the PML-N that a “countdown” for it had begun and declared that his party’s “movement” for people’s rights would extend to the entire country. In a series of clips posted on X on Monday, Bilawal affirmed that his party’s struggle for the people’s right to governance, ownership and employment will continue. The PPP chairman said, “And my message for the friends in PML-N is just this: you can hear that voice, listen carefully, tick tock, tick tock. Your countdown has begun.” Bilawal had given a similar warning last week to the federal government, which is led by the PML-N in alliance with his own PPP. Senior leaders of his party have made similar remarks in recent days, even alleging the PML-N of rigging in the 2024 general elections, which resulted in both parties being part of the current ruling coalition in the Centre. Both parties have also traded barbs over governance, political mandate and provincial performance.
AJK elections: PPP again alleges rigging as polling under way in 2 Muzaffarabad constituencies
ISLAMABAD: The PPP renewed its allegations of rigging on Tuesday while polling was under way in two constituencies of Muzaffarabad, where it could not be held on the scheduled date of August 2 in the second phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. Authorities had postponed polling in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I (Kutla) and at 71 of the 174 polling stations in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II (Lachhrat) due to landslides and bad weather, which had resulted in blocked roads. Elections in AJK are being held in three phases due to security concerns, with polling having been held on seven seats of Muzaffarabad division and 12 refugee seats — reserved seats for refugees from India-occupied Kashmir — on Sunday. In the third phase, elections will be held in 11 constituencies of Poonch division on August 10. The first phase of polling was held inAJK’s Mirpur division on July 27, in which the PML-N had secured nine of the 13 seats while the PPP won the remaining four. The two parties, which are allies in Centre, have been engaged in a war of words since, with the PPP accusing the PML-N of rigging, violence and electoral malpractices. It levelled the same allegations on Tuesday, with the party posting a complaint on its X account that it said it had sent to the Election Commission. It claimed that polling staff had been “caught red-handed with official ballot papers and polling bags inside the house of a PML-N supporter, approximately two kilometres from the designated polling site” in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I (Kotla) in union council Bheri. The PPP claimed it had “concrete evidence” that polling staff at polling station no.3 had moved to the private residence of a PML-N candidate and abandoned their post. In another post, the party shared another complaint addressed to the Election Commission. The PPP accused the PML-N of ballot stuffing at polling stations no.95 and no.97 in LA-28 and of obstructing the polling process by barring voters from casting their votes. The PPP also alleged that at polling station no.92 in LA-27, the presiding officer was stuffing ballots and called for him to be replaced by someone “neutral”. In yet another complaint, the PPP accused PML-N workers of firing in Bandi in LA-28 to “terrorise the residents of Bandi and keep them inside their homes so that they do not proceed to the polling stations”. Tallal Chaudhry tells Bilawal to ’show grace in defeat’ Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior and PML-N’s election coordinator for Poonch division, Tallal Chaudhry, rejected earlier allegations of rigging made by PPP in the AJK elections and took a swipe at PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, saying “leaders should not cry over defeat”, according to a statement issued by the interior ministry. Presiding over a review meeting on the third phase of AJK elections in Poonch division, Chaudhry said PML-N’s sweeping victory in the first two phases was a reflection of public trust in the performance of the federal and Punjab governments. “The people of Kashmir have voted for work and performance,” he told district constituency coordinators and PML-N candidates from Poonch division who attended the meeting. Seemingly responding to PPP’s allegations related to electoral malpractices, the minister said: “Bilawal Bhutto should show a big heart. Leaders do not look good when they cry over defeat.” He added that the mandate given to PML-N in AJK showed that “every part of Pakistan wants to become like Punjab” in terms of development and governance. He expressed confidence that the PML-N would secure a majority of seats in the third phase of the AJK elections. A day earlier, Bilawal had warned the PML-N that a “countdown” for it had begun and declared that his party’s “movement” for people’s rights would extend to the entire country. In a series of clips posted on X on Monday, Bilawal affirmed that his party’s struggle for the people’s right to governance, ownership and employment will continue. The PPP chairman said, “And my message for the friends in PML-N is just this: you can hear that voice, listen carefully, tick tock, tick tock. Your countdown has begun.” Bilawal had given a similar warning last week to the federal government, which is led by the PML-N in alliance with his own PPP. Senior leaders of his party have made similar remarks in recent days, even alleging the PML-N of rigging in the 2024 general elections, which resulted in both parties being part of the current ruling coalition in the Centre. Both parties have also traded barbs over governance, political mandate and provincial performance. Additional input from Tariq Naqash
'Tick tock': Bilawal says PML-N's 'countdown' has begun, will hold rally in AJK's Poonch ahead of polls
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday reiterated his warning to the PML-N that a “countdown” for it has begun, as he declared that his party’s “movement” for people’s rights will extend to the entire country. Bilawal made the remarks in a series of video messages he shared on X, wherein he reiterated his allegations of rigging against the PML-N — his party’s ally in the Centre — during the ongoing Azad Kashmir elections. The PPP and the PML-N have been engaged in a war of words since the latter emerged in the lead in Mirpur polls on July 27. The PML-N has also won the majority of the seats in the second phase, with the PPP accusing it of rigging and other violent tactics in both phases. In one of the three clips posted on X on Monday, Bilawal affirmed that his party’s struggle for the people’s right to governance, ownership and employment will continue. “This movement will not remain restricted to the mountains of Kashmir or Gilgit-Baltistan. God-willing, I will run this movement across the entire Pakistan,” he declared. The PPP chairman added, “And my message for the friends in PML-N is just this: you can hear those voices, listen carefully, tick tock, tick tock. Your countdown has begun.” Punjab’s Information Minister Azma Bokhari even reacted to Bilawal’s statement, quipping: “Oh no, we are scared. What will happen now?” Bilawal had given a similar warning last week to the federal government, which is led by the PML-N in alliance with his own PPP. Senior leaders of his party have made similar remarks in recent days, even alleging the PML-N of rigging in the 2024 general elections, which resulted in both parties being part of the current ruling coalition. Both parties have also traded barbs over governance, political mandate and provincial performance. Last week, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan claimed that “the powers that be” were unhappy with the ruling PML-N. In his videos today, Bilawal announced holding a jalsa in Poonch division’s Bagh town ahead of the elections set for August 10 across the division. “The PPP does not lose courage, back down or leave the field. You should be ready,” he said. The PPP chairman urged the people of Muzaffarabad’s LA-27 (Kutla) and LA-28 (Lachhrat) — where polling will be held tomorrow (August 4) after being suspended due to issues arising from bad weather — to vote for PPP candidates Bazil Naqvi and Javed Ayoub. Bilawal paid tribute to the people of Kashmir for “competing with the PML-N, its threats, rigging and bullets” in the ongoing elections. He reiterated the PPP’s claims that its party worker was killed, an MNA suffered a bullet injury, and its leader Chaudhry Latif Akbar — currently the acting AJK president — was “attacked” on Sunday during polling in Muzaffarabad. The PML-N has disputed the claim about the party worker, saying he died from a heart attack and was not part of the PPP. In one video clip, Bilawal asserted that the elections so far have not been transparent. “These were rigging elections, bullet elections, murderous elections and bloody elections,” he claimed. Addressing his supporters, he said, “Despite all this, you have secured nine seats for PPP. God-willing, I will get you back the seats stolen from you in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad.” CEC stresses law and order for polling to go ahead on all Poonch seats Separately, AJK Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal stressed the importance of law and order in Poonch for polling to proceed in all constituencies on August 10. The AJK CEC told the media today that considering the situation in Poonch division, the commission would conduct polling on August 10 in three constituencies in Bagh, one in Haveli and one in Abbaspur. However, the constituencies of Baloch and Palandri (in Sudhnoti district) were also under consideration, he said. “If we receive positive reports from there and the way people in Muzaffarabad rejected all pressures and tactics, came out of their homes and cast their votes, people in Poonch also extend the same cooperation, God-willing, we are ready to hold elections in all constituencies except for Rawalakot city and Thorar.” At the same time, he said: “Our preparation is complete for all constituencies. However, the law and order situation and the demands of the safety of voters play an important role in holding elections.” Responding to a question, he said that under the AJK constitution, the current Legislative Assembly ceases to exist after August 4. “Even if elections cannot be held in two or a few more constituencies, one cannot say that the house is not complete or those who have returned cannot take oath or perform their functions,” he explained. He said the new assembly would still take oath after the completion of the August 10 polls. For LA-27, where the election had been postponed across the constituency, he said polling will be held at all 197 polling stations tomorrow (Tuesday). Polling would be held on Tuesday from 8am to 5pm at 54 polling stations in three union councils (UCs) of LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II (Lachhrat). Polling staff and election material could not reach these areas in time due to road blockades. At two of these polling stations, supporters of a candidate had set ballot boxes on fire. The CEC affirmed that adequate arrangements had been made to reopen the roads following bad weather. After security personnel returned from other areas, additional forces had been deployed in view of the sensitivity of these constituencies to ensure the electoral process was completed peacefully. He added that polling staff had already been dispatched to their respective stations under security escort. In view of Tuesday’s polling, the Muzaffarabad deputy commissioner has declared a public holiday across the district. AJK Election Commissioner retd Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal addresses the media on Aug 3, 2026. — Photo provided by Tariq Naqash Expressing regret over allegations levelled against the Election Commission, CEC Mughal said the electoral watchdog was a constitutional and autonomous institution whose responsibility was to conduct free, fair and impartial elections without favouring any party. He said it was the state’s responsibility to provide full security and assist the Election Commission. “We perform our duties in accordance with the Constitution and the law, and our conscience is clear.” Speaking about the second phase of elections held on Sunday, the AJK CEC said voter turnout in the seven constituencies stood at 53 per cent. “This was certainly a difficult election, and given the circumstances that were created, this is by no means a low turnout,” retired Justice Mughal noted. “I congratulate the people for making the right decision. They rejected the path of violence and chose the power of the vote instead — a path of positive change that will produce beneficial results.” Ruling coalition ‘safe’ even without PPP The PML-N-led federal government is said to be in a safe position even if the PPP withdraws its support to the PML-N in the National Assembly, as in the house of a total of 336 members, 169 votes are required to form the government. Presently, the NA has 333 members as three seats are vacant. Of these, the PML-N has 132 seats; PPP has 74; Mutahidda Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has 22; PML-Q has five; Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) has four; independents have four; while PML-Z, National Party (NP) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) have one seat each. The numbers show that even if the PPP leaves the ruling coalition — comprising itself, PML-N, MQM-P, PML-Q, IPP, PML-Z, BAP and NP — the PML-N-led alliance will have 170 seats, which is one seat more than the required number of 169 seats. On the other hand, the opposition has a total of 89 votes, with PTI (who are considered independents) having 74 seats, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F) having 10 seats and one seat each held by Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP). If the PPP and the entire opposition join hands, even then they cannot topple the PML-N-led regime, as the combined 163 members are six less than the required number to form the government and seven less than the total strength of the ruling alliance. Whereas, if the PPP continues to attach itself to the ruling alliance, the alliance’s total seats will remain 244, 20 more seats than the number required for a two-thirds majority in the house to make any legislation smoothly.
PML-N poised to grab lion’s share in AJK
RAWALPINDI: People receive ballot papers from election officials as they wait to cast their votes at a polling station in Millat Colony, during the second phase of elections to the AJK Legislative Assembly.—Online • Initial tally shows ‘N’ leading second phase of elections • PPP set to win two refugee, two territorial seats; alleges widespread rigging • Polling in two constituencies postponed till tomorrow • Sporadic violence hits AJK capital • Bilawal says PML-N ‘crossed all limits’, accuses party of using violence • Azma eyes victory, says voters ‘deeply impressed’ by Maryam’s performance as CM MUZAFFARABAD: The PML-N appeared in a comfortable position to consolidate its lead over the PPP in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly after unofficial results from the AJK polls’ second phase showed it ahead in most contests, including the refugee seats spread across Pakistan. By late Sunday night, the Election Commission had officially notified results of five refugee constituencies, four of which were won by the PML-N and one by the PPP. Unofficial and unverified results from the remaining constituencies, however, suggested the PML-N had secured victory in 10 of the 12 refugee constituencies and at least two of the seven territorial constituencies where the polling had concluded. The PPP was said to have won two territorial constituencies and two refugee seats. Polling was originally scheduled in nine territorial constituencies — five in Muzaffarabad district and two each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley districts — besides all 12 refugee constituencies. However, the Election Commission deferred polling in LA-27, Muzaffarabad-I (Kutla) until Tuesday after polling staff and election material could not reach the constituency because of landslides and bad weather that blocked the Neelum Valley road and its link roads. Polling at 71 of the 174 polling stations in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II (Lachhrat) was also postponed until Tuesday for the same reason. Voting in the remaining polling stations of the constituency was held as scheduled. However, due to a delay in the arrival of polling staff and election material, polling was affected at several locations. Consequently, the Election Commission extended polling by one hour in the territorial constituencies, while polling in the refugee constituencies ended at the scheduled time of 5pm. A person walks past closed shops at a market, during the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, in Muzaffarabad on August 2. — Reuters Sporadic clashes In parts of Muzaffarabad city, attempts were reportedly made to disrupt polling in some neighbourhoods, but voting continued in most areas. In LA-31, Muzaffarabad-V (Khawra), clashes between workers of the PML-N and PPP were reported in Union Council Katkair. The PPP alleged that one of its workers, Syed Mushtaq Shah, was killed in an attack by PML-N supporters. The PML-N rejected the allegation, claiming the man suffered a cardiac arrest following a scuffle between two groups. There was no independent confirmation of either claim. PPP candidate and Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar also wrote to the AJK chief election commissioner, alleging security lapses, firing incidents, interference in polling, prevention of polling agents from entering polling stations and denial of voting rights. He also claimed there had been an attempt on his life in which Advocate Syed Mumtaz Hussain Naqvi was injured, and called for an investigation and legal action against those responsible. There was no immediate response from the Election Commission. Clashes between workers of the two major parties, some involving the use of firearms, were also reported from different areas, though no casualties were immediately reported. “This is the first time I am casting my vote. It’s a new experience and I am excited,” said Syeda Warisha, a 22-year-old student, while waiting in a queue outside the Saheli Sarkar polling station in Muzaffarabad. PML-N leads polls Late at night, the AJK CEC announced official results of five refugee constituencies. PML-N candidates Muhammad Amir Shah (LA-41, Valley-II), Syed Shoukat Shah (LA-42, Valley-III), Mohammad Yasin Lone (LA-43, Valley-IV) and Ahmad Raza Qadri (LA-44, Valley-V) were declared successful, while PPP’s Abdul Majid Khan won LA-45 (Valley-VI), where PML-N had not fielded a candidate. Unofficial and unverified results suggested that the PPP had also won LA-40 (Valley-I) where it had fielded Amir Abdul Ghaffar Lone, while the PML-N swept all six Jammu refugee constituencies through Nasir Hussain Dar, Chaudhry Ismail, Sahibzada Ahsan Raza, Maryam Javed, Zeeshan Ali and Raja Muhammad Siddique. Among the territorial constituencies, unofficial results indicated that PML-N regional president Shah Ghulam Qadir was ahead with a narrow margin in LA-25 (Neelum-I), while the PPP’s Mian Abdul Waheed was leading in LA-26 (Neelum-II). In LA-29 (Muzaffarabad-III), PPP’s Sardar Mukhtar Abbasi was reported to have defeated PML-N’s Barrister Iftikhar Gillani by nearly 2,000 votes. PML-N candidate Raja Saqib Majeed was said to have defeated PPP’s Chaudhry Latif Akbar in LA-31 (Khawra), while Dr Mustafa Bashir Abbasi of the PML-N reportedly defeated PPP’s Mubashar Munir Awan in LA-30 (Muzaffarabad-IV). In LA-33 (Leepa), PPP’s Deevan Ali Chughtai was reported to have defeated PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Rasheed. Former prime minister Raja Farooq Haider and PPP’s Sahibzada Ashfaq Zaffar were in a neck-and-neck contest for LA-32 (Muzaffarabad-VI), while in LA-28 (Lachhrat), where polling could not be held at all polling stations, PML-N’s Chaudhry Shahzad Mahmood was reportedly leading the race against PPP’s Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi. Refugee seats The Kashmiris voted for their candidates vying for refugee seats at polling stations set up in Chakwal, Jhelum, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Sargodha, Attock, Nawabshah, Hyderabad, Mohmand, Mansehra, Quetta, Dera Ghazi Khan, Peshawar, Sanghar, and Naushahro Feroze. Polling in these areas largely remained peaceful and recorded a low turnout. In Mohmand, not a single voter turned up at a station set up for the AJK polls. In Dera Ghazi Khan, a single registered female voter cast her ballot at the Govt Elementary School in Maumori, where a polling station had been established just for her. Out of 12 refugee seats, seven seats are in Punjab, one seat is in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one seat (Jammu-VI) is divided between Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one seat is divided between Sindh and Balochistan (Valley-I), and one seat (Jammu-I) is shared among refugees living in Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh. Valley-V seat is divided between Punjab and Islamabad. Rigging allegations In continuation of its criticism of the PML-N over the AJK polls, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari accused his ruling partner of “robbing” the mandate. “The PML-N is robbing the votes of the people of Azad Kashmir through bullets, batons and coercion,” he alleged. In a post on X, he condemned an “attack” on the party’s regional president, Chaudhry Latif Akbar — also the candidate for LA-31 (Muzaffarabad-V). Accusing “miscreant elements of the PML-N” of being behind the incident, Bilawal said PPP worker Mushtaq Shah was killed in the same constituency. He demanded that those responsible for the attack on Akbar and the “murderers” of the party worker be arrested. In a separate statement, Bilawal said, “The PML-N has crossed all limits. Attacks are taking place on our voters and the president of the state (AJK).” The PPP shared a complaint written to the Election Commission regarding a “physical assault” on Akbar. Chaudhry Akbar also wrote two letters to the ECP about the assault and the death of the party worker. PPP leader Nayyar Hussain Bokhari claimed that eight party workers had been injured in the ongoing elections so far. Mr Bokhari contended there was a “state of lawlessness” in AJK. Similar allegations were levelled by PPP leaders Nadeem Afzal Chan and Punjab MPA Hassan Murtaza in separate media talks. Mr Chan said the PPP election cell received 15 complaints, which were submitted to the AJK Election Commission. “We have provided the government with clear evidence of rigging but the PML-N has not responded to the PPP’s concerns, he claimed. “The PPP cannot declare these elections free and fair,” he added. Azma eyes victory Earlier in the day, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari stated that the PML-N would secure a massive victory. Sharing videos of the peaceful polling process, the provincial minister remarked that the public, deeply impressed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s governance, was enthusiastically voting for the ‘Lion’ – the PML-N’s electoral symbol. Taking a jibe at political opponents, she claimed that the “whining party” was nowhere to be seen on the election day. “Those who always cry foul over rigging will keep screaming, while the masses will continue to ensure the PML-N’s success,” she stated. Reflecting on the election campaign, Ms Bokhari noted the overwhelming public reception the party had received. She highlighted that the successful campaign of the PML-N candidates was a testament to their impending victory. With input from Amjad Mahmood, Syed Irfan Raza, Hamid Asghar, Tariq Saeed Birmani, Aslam Piracha, Sajjad Niazi, Zulfiqar Memon, Saleem Shahid, Mohammad Ashfaq and Nisar Ahmad Khan Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026
At least 14 people, including police officials, martyred in suicide attack on Kabal police station in Swat: police
At least 14 people, including police officials, were martyred and 22 others injured in a suicide attack on Swat’s Kabal police station on Sunday, police said. Swat police spokesperson Nasir Iqbal Karimi, while speaking to Dawn, confirmed the death toll. Malakand Deputy Inspector General of Police Fida Hussain told AFP that police officers were among those martyred. He added that 22 people had been wounded and another body, suspected to be that of the bomber, had been brought to hospital. According to the Swat District Police Officer (DPO) Umar Khan, the suicide bomber detonated explosives after police personnel attempted to stop and search him at the entrance of the police station. The DPO said that the police remained on high alert. “Security forces have cordoned off the area, and an investigation is underway to collect further evidence,“ he added. The explosion occurred near the gate of Kabal police station while hundreds of people were participating in a public demonstration at nearby Kabal Chowk against the recent wave of terrorism in Swat Valley. Police officials inspect the site following a suicide bombing during a protest in Swat district on August 2. — AFP The powerful blast caused multiple casualties, prompting an immediate emergency response from police, rescue teams and local authorities. The injured were shifted to nearby Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital for treatment, while security personnel sealed off the area and launched a search operation. The protest had drawn a large crowd from across the district and the attack occurred as the final speaker was addressing the crowd, triggering panic among participants. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Addressing the gathering before the blast, the speakers condemned the resurgence of terrorism in Swat and demanded that the government ensure lasting peace. They said their movement had a single agenda: the restoration of peace and the elimination of terrorism from the region. The speakers stressed that maintaining law and order and eradicating terrorism were the state’s responsibility, warning that continued insecurity could trigger widespread public unrest, citing recent protest movements in other countries as examples of growing public frustration. The speakers also criticised the authorities for what they described as action against peaceful citizens while terrorists continued to operate in the mountainous areas of Swat. They alleged that terrorists had openly circulated videos on social media and questioned why stronger action had not been taken against them. “Our children deserve education, and our families deserve to live in peace,” one speaker told the gathering. “We have witnessed years of bloodshed. Our mothers, sisters, and daughters have suffered immensely, and we do not want another generation of widows and orphans.” Condemnations pour in President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the loss of life and called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident, according to a statement issued by his office on X. President Zardari directed the relevant authorities to provide the best possible medical facilities to those injured. “Terrorists will never succeed in their nefarious efforts to undermine peace, national unity and the writ of the state,” he was quoted as saying. He added that the sacrifices of the KP police were “a source of pride for the entire nation”. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the blast. “Terrorists cannot demoralise the nation with cowardly attacks,” Kundi was quoted as saying, as per a statement. KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, condemning the incident, sought a report from the KP Inspector General of Police (IGP) and offered condolences to the families of the deceased. “The elements hostile to peace will never be allowed to succeed in their nefarious intentions,” the chief minister was quoted as saying. Earlier in the day, an IED blast near the Peshawar-Islamabad motorway toll plaza injured two policemen in the provincial capital Peshawar. On July 30, a terrorist attack on a police checkpost in Hangu martyred nine policemen. KP has seen an uptick in terrorist activity. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies’s monthly security assessment, KP, excluding the merged districts, recorded 154 terrorism related deaths in July, compared with 75 in June, representing an increase of 105 per cent.
İsrail'in 1915 Kararına Ankara ve Bakü'den Sert Tepki: 'Kendi Suçunu Örtbas Çabası'At least 14 people, including eight police officials, martyred in suicide attack on Kabal police station in Swat: police
At least 14 people, including eight police officials, were martyred and 22 others injured in a suicide attack on Swat’s Kabal police station on Sunday, police said. Swat police spokesperson Nasir Iqbal Karimi, while speaking to Dawn, confirmed the death toll. Earlier, Swat Deputy Inspector General of Police Fida Hussain had told AFP that 13 people, including eight police officers, were killed and 22 others injured in the attack. He added that 22 people had been wounded and another body, suspected to be that of the bomber, had been brought to hospital. According to the Swat District Police Officer (DPO) Umar Khan, the suicide bomber detonated explosives after police personnel attempted to stop and search him at the entrance of the police station. The DPO said that the police remained on high alert. “Security forces have cordoned off the area, and an investigation is underway to collect further evidence,“ he added. The explosion occurred near the gate of Kabal police station while hundreds of people were participating in a public demonstration at nearby Kabal Chowk against the recent wave of terrorism in Swat Valley. Police officials inspect the site following a suicide bombing during a protest in Swat district on August 2. — AFP The powerful blast caused multiple casualties, prompting an immediate emergency response from police, rescue teams and local authorities. The injured were shifted to nearby Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital for treatment, while security personnel sealed off the area and launched a search operation. The protest had drawn a large crowd from across the district and the attack occurred as the final speaker was addressing the crowd, triggering panic among participants. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Addressing the gathering before the blast, the speakers condemned the resurgence of terrorism in Swat and demanded that the government ensure lasting peace. They said their movement had a single agenda: the restoration of peace and the elimination of terrorism from the region. The speakers stressed that maintaining law and order and eradicating terrorism were the state’s responsibility, warning that continued insecurity could trigger widespread public unrest, citing recent protest movements in other countries as examples of growing public frustration. The speakers also criticised the authorities for what they described as action against peaceful citizens while terrorists continued to operate in the mountainous areas of Swat. They alleged that terrorists had openly circulated videos on social media and questioned why stronger action had not been taken against them. “Our children deserve education, and our families deserve to live in peace,” one speaker told the gathering. “We have witnessed years of bloodshed. Our mothers, sisters, and daughters have suffered immensely, and we do not want another generation of widows and orphans.” Condemnations pour in President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the loss of life and called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident, according to a statement issued by his office on X. President Zardari directed the relevant authorities to provide the best possible medical facilities to those injured. “Terrorists will never succeed in their nefarious efforts to undermine peace, national unity and the writ of the state,” he was quoted as saying. He added that the sacrifices of the KP police were “a source of pride for the entire nation”. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the blast. “Terrorists cannot demoralise the nation with cowardly attacks,” Kundi was quoted as saying, as per a statement. KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, condemning the incident, sought a report from the KP Inspector General of Police (IGP) and offered condolences to the families of the deceased. “The elements hostile to peace will never be allowed to succeed in their nefarious intentions,” the chief minister was quoted as saying. Earlier in the day, an IED blast near the Peshawar-Islamabad motorway toll plaza injured two policemen in the provincial capital Peshawar. On July 30, a terrorist attack on a police checkpost in Hangu martyred nine policemen. KP has seen an uptick in terrorist activity. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies’s monthly security assessment, KP, excluding the merged districts, recorded 154 terrorism related deaths in July, compared with 75 in June, representing an increase of 105 per cent.
İsrail'in 1915 Kararına Ankara ve Bakü'den Sert Tepki: 'Kendi Suçunu Örtbas Çabası'Second phase of AJK polls concludes amid renewed rigging allegations by PPP
The second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections took place on Sunday, with polling held in eight out of the nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies. Polling began at 8am and continued till 5pm for the refugee seats, while the process concluded at 6pm in Muzaffarabad after an hour-long extension. The electoral process in LA-27 (Muzaffarabad-I) was postponed due to heavy rain, AJK Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said, DawnNewsTV reported. Polling in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-II, commonly known as Kutla, was deferred until August 4 after polling material could not be dispatched due to a landslide. Similarly, polling in 52 of the 147 polling stations of LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II has also been postponed until August 4 for the same reason. Over 300 candidates were in the fray for the Muzaffarabad seats and the 12 seats for refugees settled in different regions. What has happened so far: Polling postponed in LA-27 due to rain; 4 other seats up for grabs in Muzaffarabad district, 2 each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley Voting held across country for 12 refugee seats — 7 in Punjab, other 5 divided between different provinces Bilawal condemns ‘attack’ on party’s regional president, says PPP worker killed in LA-31 PML-N disputes PPP claim, says man died from heart failure PPP alleges electoral malpractices at some polling stations in at least 11 constituencies Continuing his rigging allegations, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday accused the PML-N of “robbing” votes in the second phase of the AJK elections as well. In a post on X later in the day, he condemned an “attack” on the party’s regional president, Chaudhry Latif Akbar — also the candidate for LA-31 (Muzaffarabad-V). Accusing “miscreant elements of the PML-N” of being behind the incident, Bilawal said PPP worker Mushtaq Shah was killed in the same constituency. “The PML-N is robbing the votes of the people of Azad Kashmir through bullets, batons and coercion,” he alleged. The PPP chairman demanded that those responsible for the attack on Akbar and the “murderers” of the party worker be arrested immediately. In a separate statement, Bilawal said, “The PML-N has crossed all limits. Attacks are taking place on our voters and the president of the state (AJK).” He remarked that in Muzaffarabad, the PPP’s “politics of dignity and principles was in contest with the PML-N’s threat, rigging and coercion”. The PPP shared a complaint written to the Election Commission regarding a “physical assault” on Akbar. The party said the LA-31 candidate was “engaged in the electoral process on polling day” when the alleged incident took place, accusing three individuals. It said a first information report (FIR) was being registered and urged the Election Commission to order an inquiry into the “security lapse” that resulted in the incident. AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, who belongs to the PPP, took notice of the incident and ordered the chief secretary and the police chief to take those responsible to justice. The AJK PM termed the attack “a slap on the politics of dignity and principle in Kashmir”. Akbar also wrote two letters to the Election Commission. In one, he alleged that an attempt on his life was made at Polling Station 177 “by PML-N workers” and wrote of the PPP worker’s death. He further claimed that his polling agents were not allowed to “sit in the polling area” at 14 polling stations. In the second letter, Akbar said PPP leader Syed Mumtaz Hussain Naqvi sustained bullet wounds in a “[murderous] attack” at a polling station in a building. Addressing a press conference, PPP leader Nayyar Hussain Bokhari claimed that eight party workers had been injured in the ongoing elections so far. Bokhari contended there was a “state of lawlessness” in AJK. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns, with the first set of polls held in Mirpur division on July 27, the second held today, and the third phase set for August 10 across Poonch division. Ahead of today’s elections, internet services were restored in parts of Muzaffarabad division after remaining suspended for 54 days on July 29. At the time, it was not clear whether the restoration covered the entire division or was limited to the state capital. Addressing the media on Sunday, the AJK CEC said that a letter had been written yesterday to request the restoration of internet services. He added that the outcome would be known today, without providing further details. “We will work according to the law; we will not come under pressure from anyone,” CEC Mughal said to a question. PML-N says man did not die from bullet, had heart failure On its part, the PML-N disputed the PPP’s stance on a man’s death in Muzaffarabad, saying that he died due to heart failure and did not suffer any bullet injury. Responding to the PPP’s stream of allegations in a media talk in Rawalpindi, PML-N Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said a man aged between 68 and 70 years was trying to resolve a “scuffle” when he suffered heart failure. She noted that there was a physical altercation between groups of the PML-N and the PPP, describing the incident as “unfortunate”. She further said that Shah’s family has refused to have a post-mortem examination conducted. “Will you do politics on bullets? Will you sabotage a democratic process by spreading such fake claims?” Aurangzeb said. She further said, “My brothers, this politics of bullet, this politics of robbing votes, this does not suit parties like us.” The PML-N leader went on to emphasise that the PPP leadership had given sacrifices and spent their “entire lives” in making efforts to strengthen democracy. She remarked that ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto “did not give sacrifice to see this day”. “You should remember that you are Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s grandson. We will keep reminding you because we will not let their sacrifices go to waste.” She further said that the PPP was aware that the public did not vote for it. “Are elections won by crying, grabbing collars, issuing threats or making accusations? Elections are won with courage.” The PML-N leader also took exception to Bilawal’s remarks of “snatching away seats” and “taking out seats”, saying: “Bilawal, you say good things. What kind of statements are you making now?” Aurangzeb compared the PPP’s attitude to that of the PTI, saying the former’s “narrative” should not be the same. “Find out so that you may not have to cry in Sindh,” the PML-N leader cautioned the PPP, noting people in Sindh were seeking performance similar to that of the Punjab government. Aurangzeb recalled the Charter of Democracy signed between the PPP and the PML-N in 2007, stressing that its purpose was not to let democratic processes be sabotaged. Noting that the PPP was in power in AJK and had its administrative machinery in the region, the PML-N leader questioned if Bilawal’s “own government is carrying out rigging against you”. She remarked that if one considered the PPP’s allegations to be true, the party would have to “accept” that its own government “carried out rigging against Bilawal”. Aurangzeb said the PPP-led administration was preventing the transportation of the required electoral equipment. She also commented on Bokhari showing ballot papers stamped with votes for PML-N, saying, “This is an election of thousands of votes. He was showing two stamps on two ballot papers.” The Punjab minister took aim at the PPP’s governance, saying that it had nothing to show for its performance. She quipped that voters were yet to head to polling stations early in the morning while the PPP had already started holding media talks on rigging. Aurangzeb said that if the PPP still had reservations, there were relevant platforms such as the Election Commission and tribunals to approach, rather than hold press conferences. “Contest the elections. Do not cry out loud,” she said. In a similar tone, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah also regretted the rigging allegations levelled by the PPP. “Unfortunately, a democratic party, which is also a signatory to the Charter of Democracy, has been alleging rigging since 10:30 in the morning,” he said while addressing the media in Islamabad. Flanked by Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam, Sanaullah claimed that the second phase of polls in AJK was conducted in a “peaceful manner”. The inter-provincial coordination minister said the electoral process was completed at 96 per cent of polling stations, adding that vote counting was underway. Sanaullah maintained that it was the “most transparent and non-violent electoral process”, adding that a few incidents had occurred during the day. Referring to the alleged attack on PPP leader Akbar, Sanaullah said it was a dispute involving another family in the area and that there had been “no physical confrontation”, only a verbal argument. Contesting the PPP’s claim about the second reported incident involving a party worker, the PML-N leader said a citizen named Mushtaq was involved in a scuffle with his family members, one of whom pushed him. “He reportedly went home afterwards and then suffered a heart attack as he was a cardiac patient. They [PPP] claimed that shots were fired, but not a single bullet was fired,” the premier’s adviser asserted. Sanaullah added that the PML-N condoled his death, but that the “deceased individual was not a PPP worker”. PPP alleges electoral malpractices On Sunday, the PPP alleged electoral malpractices shortly after polling commenced, with several of the complaints claiming its polling agents at some stations were not allowed to observe the voting process. At 2pm, the party also wrote a separate letter to the Election Commission requesting follow-up on 25 complaints filed by it regarding 11 constituencies. The PPP said it had not received any formal written response or acknowledgement from the electoral watchdog on the status of any of the 25 complaints. “Given the gravity, number and geographical spread of the violations documented, the Party respectfully submits that a formal response from the Commission is now overdue and urgently required.” On the other hand, the PML-N’s social media posts revolved around voters across Muzaffarabad and Punjab showing up to cast ballots with “enthusiasm”. Several posts highlighted that a large number of voters were flocking to the PML-N’s election camps, rather than those of rival parties. The PML-N also wrote to the Election Commission in response to a PPP complaint about LA-40 (Valley-I), terming the latter’s allegations against its candidate Muhammad Naeem Khan as “baseless”. In the letter, seen by Dawn, the PML-N asserted that the allegations “regarding administrative failures are unsubstantiated and appear to be an attempt to create unnecessary controversy around the polling process”. The PML-N urged the electoral watchdog to ensure that “no misleading or politically motivated complaint is allowed to undermine public confidence in the integrity of the polling”. ‘Ballot stuffing’ At a polling station in LA-32 (Muzaffarabad-VI), the PPP accused PML-N supporters of “ballot stuffing”. It further said that a government employee had been deployed as a polling agent for the PML-N at a separate polling station. In LA-30 (Muzaffarabad-IV), the PPP claimed PML-N workers removed a ballot box at the Banaw Langah polling station and placed it outside, where they were allegedly “stamping ballot papers”. In Charakhpora Union Council of LA-31 (Muzaffarabad-V), the PPP said “bogus voting” was taking place at the Sharik Kamal Bandi-Khalsa polling station. The party said the alleged act “directly subverts the integrity of the poll”, adding that the polling station also did not have adequate security despite being declared “sensitive”. The PPP also alleged a PML-N MPA at a polling station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Abbottabad of obstructing the voting process for the refugee seat of LA-45 (Kashmir-VI). In LA-25 (Neelum-I), the PPP said the voting process at a polling station had been halted after reports emerged of PML-N supporters tearing up ballot papers. The PPP also said its polling agents at a polling station in LA-25’s Khawaja Sari reported that “fraudulent votes are being cast” there. It urged the Election Commission to dispatch officials and law enforcement to halt the alleged action. ‘Polling agents excluded’ The party alleged that its polling agents were not allowed to sit at polling stations for refugee seat LA-34 (Jammu-I) in Cantonment and Lahore’s Sheranwala Gate, calling on the Election Commission to intervene. The PPP wrote to the electoral watchdog about a similar complaint emerging from a polling station in Janabad, Sargodha, for LA-34. Sharing another letter addressed to the Election Commission about LA-34, the PPP said “elected members” of the PML-N were present inside a Pakpattan polling station and “stamping ballot papers”. It further claimed that its polling agent was “barred from entering the same polling station”. “The deliberate exclusion of the PPP’s oversight representative while PML-N’s own elected officials conduct fraud inside the station is not a coincidence — it is a coordinated strategy to commit electoral fraud without any independent witness,” it alleged. The party urged the electoral watchdog to dispatch law enforcement to the polling station and remove the PML-N supporters allegedly involved in “ballot stuffing”. Regarding LA-42 (Valley-III), the PPP filed a complaint over party candidate Asim Sharif Butt’s polling agent being “physically prevented” from entering a polling station in Muzaffargarh’s Alipur Tehsil. The PPP also claimed its polling agents at three polling stations in LA-30 (Muzaffarabad-IV) were denied from observing the electoral process. Similarly, the party said polling agents of candidate Ishfaq Zaffar were not permitted to take their seats at three polling stations in LA-32 (Muzaffarabad-VI). Terming it a “serious violation” of the electoral code of conduct, the PPP sought disciplinary action against the presiding officers who allegedly refused the agents from discharging their duties. At one of those polling stations, the PPP claimed a “violent confrontation” was underway between supporters of PML-N candidate Raja Farooq Haider and PPP supporters. Other issues In a separate statement in the morning, the party claimed that no polling staff was present at any of the 196 polling stations in LA-27, adding that this raised the concern that there was a “deliberate” attempt to delay the polling. Similarly, the party alleged that polling staff had reached late at 71 polling stations of LA-28, due to which the voting process was facing delays. The PPP claimed that a similar situation was being witnessed at several polling stations of LA-30, where polling staff had not arrived on time. Regarding LA-31, the PPP said it had written to the Election Commission on behalf of its candidate Akbar, urging it to take action over difficulties faced by voters due to the closure of the Rangla-Katkair Road in Muzaffarabad. The party said over 50 vehicles carrying voters were stuck due to the road’s closure. PML-N slams ‘blame game’ Earlier in the day, PML-N’s Muqam called on political parties not to indulge in a “blame game”. “Nothing is to be gained from a blame game,” he said during a press conference in Islamabad, adding that law enforcement personnel were also deployed to ensure security. “They should not act in a manner that ‘why was I not given seats’,” Muqam said, stressing that it was the public whose votes allocate seats. The minister urged all political parties to let the electoral process take place in a peaceful manner, stressing that making allegations without evidence cannot change the results. At the same time, Muqam also highlighted “arbitrary transfers and administrative decisions” in AJK, where the PPP is in power. He said the moves “seemed discriminatory”. He recalled that the PML-N had accepted the results of elections in Gilgit-Baltistan held in June, where the PPP emerged the winner and formed the government. Defending the results from Mirpur, Muqam asserted that the people voted for PML-N due to its performance. On the other hand, PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan also held a press conference where he called on the Election Commission to play its role in “proving” the election process in AJK to be free and fair. “Azad Kashmir is an international issue … people’s eyes are on it,” the former MNA said, adding that if the commission did not recognise the public and assure a free election, “tomorrow we will not be able to ratify this election under any circumstance”. He recalled that after the Mirpur polls, there was a detailed discussion within the party about boycotting the second and third phases. However, the party leadership refused the idea of a boycott. Chan cautioned that if the PPP was “compelled” to move towards such steps for the third phase, it would benefit those who wanted to prove the election “dirty”. “I see this becoming an ultra Form-47 election,” he said. He said that in negotiations in Muzaffarabad, the PPP had provided proof of rigging in four constituencies, as well as agreeing to hold re-polling in any other constituencies in which there were objections. He also called for a benchmark for voting, saying, “General polling was less than 30 per cent. But wherever you won, it was 80pc, 90pc, 75pc … this doesn’t even happen in urban cities like Islamabad and Lahore.” ‘Admission of rigging’ The PPP and the PML-N — coalition partners in the Centre — have been engaged in a war of words since the PML-N emerged in the lead during the first phase of polls. The PPP has accused the PML-N of rigging in Mirpur and demanded re-polling. Scuffles, violence and allegations of rigging had marred the polls in Mirpur, with the PML-N and PPP accusing each other of electoral malpractice. To defuse the tensions, senior leaders of both parties met multiple times in Azad Kashmir over the weekend to “explore a legal resolution” to the dispute. The latest round of talks followed two earlier meetings on Thursday and Friday. A PML-N source told Dawn that discussions focused on the PPP’s allegations and its demand for re-polling in certain constituencies. “It was not planned or pre-planned rigging but isolated acts at places where supporters of one candidate enjoyed numerical dominance over their opponents. Such incidents have unfortunately been part of the territory’s polling atmosphere and have also been witnessed in previous elections,” the source quoted the PML-N leaders as telling their counterparts. Referring to this statement in a X post on Sunday, Bilawal said: “Despite this admission from the rigging party, the [EC] has still failed to take action on our complaints from phase 1. Had they done so, the credibility of today’s phase 2 election would have been restored. “The PPP reserves the right to protest and demand re-election in phases where rigging took place, and the election commission failed to act. We have already sent multiple written complaints about ballot stuffing and illegal removal of our polling agents in today’s election. It is hoped the election commission acts swiftly and at least maintains fairness in round 2.” According to the sources, during meetings with the PML-N, PPP initially raised objections to the results in four constituencies — Charhoi, Sehnsa and Nakyal in Kotli district, and Barnala in Bhimber district during phase-I of the election. However, it later withdrew its allegations regarding Sehnsa and Barnala. Saturday’s discussions centred on Charhoi, where PPP AJK President Chaudhry Yasin lost to PML-N’s Raja Riasat, and Nakyal, where PPP candidate Javed Iqbal Budhanvi was defeated by PML-N’s Raja Ayaz Ahmed. Meanwhile, the Sharif family also held discussions at Jati Umra. According to a statement issued by the PM’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held consultations with his elder brother and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif at Jati Umra to take stock of mounting political challenges, including the rift with the PPP over the AJK elections. A senior PML-N leader told Dawn that the party leadership had taken serious note of the PPP chairman’s increasingly combative rhetoric against the Sharif family over the AJK polls and his warning that the PPP could reconsider its support for the federal government if the remaining phases of the elections were manipulated in favour of the PML-N. Election numbers According to the AJK Election Commission, 207 candidates are in the fray for the nine constituencies in Muzaffarabad division, comprising five seats in Muzaffarabad district and two each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley districts. Another 137 candidates are contesting the 12 refugee constituencies, including six seats representing refugees from the Kashmir Valley and six from Jammu. A total of 809,621 voters are registered in Muzaffarabad division, while the 12 refugee constituencies have a combined electorate of 438,834. According to the commission, 1,483 polling stations have been established across Muzaffarabad division, of which 533 have been declared highly sensitive, 741 sensitive and 209 normal. Another 1,057 polling stations have been set up for the 12 refugee constituencies. Out of 12 refugee seats, seven seats are in Punjab, one seat is in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one seat (Jammu-VI) is divided between Punjab, Islamabad and KP, one seat is divided between Sindh and Balochistan (Valley-I), and one seat (Jammu-I) is shared among refugees living in Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh. Valley-V seat is divided between Punjab and Islamabad. In Rawalpindi and Islamabad, about 27,000 registered male and female voters will elect lawmakers for LA-43 (Valley-IV), LA-44 (Valley-V), and LA-39 (Jammu-VI) seats. A total of 175 polling stations have been established, out of which 18 polling stations in Rawalpindi have been declared sensitive. A total of 34 candidates are in the fray. In Gujrat, almost 2,000 policemen will perform security duties at scores of polling stations for the LA-38 elections. The total number of polling stations in these districts is 115, with 75 in Gujrat, 24 in Wazirabad and 16 in Mandi Bahauddin. The total number of voters is 50,225 in the entire constituency. As many as 11 candidates are contesting this seat. In Sindh, officials said the elections will be conducted on LA-34 (Jammu-I) and LA-40 (Kashmir Valley-I) with polling stations established across Karachi and other districts of Sindh. In LA-34 (Jammu-I), a total of 17 candidates are contesting the election, which has 698 registered voters in Karachi’s seven districts and 477 voters in 13 other districts of Sindh. For LA-40 Kashmir (Valley-I), 11 candidates are in the race. The constituency has 4,200 registered voters in Karachi and 403 voters in 17 other districts of Sindh. In Balochistan, seven polling booths have been established across the province for the Kashmir Valley-I constituency, where 1,174 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots. Balochistan shares this seat with Sindh. For the Jammu-I constituency, six polling booths have been set up, with a total of 182 registered voters, including 85 men and 97 women, eligible to vote. Polling stations have been established for AJK refugee voters residing in Balochistan at various locations, including Quetta, Pishin, Qila Saifullah, Hub, Loralai, Sibi, Mastung, Zhob and Barkhan. In KP, 41 polling stations, mostly in Swat and Mansehra, have been set up for the LA-45 (Kashmir VI) seat. Additional input by Ameer Hamza
AJK seçimlerinin ikinci aşaması PPP'nin hile iddiaları gölgesinde tamamlandıSecond phase of AJK polls conclude amid renewed rigging allegations by PPP
The second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections took place on Sunday, with polling held in eight out of the nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies. Polling began at 8am and continued till 5pm for the refugee seats, while the process concluded at 6pm in Muzaffarabad after an hour-long extension. The electoral process in LA-27 (Muzaffarabad-I) was postponed due to heavy rain, AJK Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said, DawnNewsTV reported. Over 300 candidates were in the fray for the Muzaffarabad seats and the 12 seats for refugees settled in different regions. What has happened so far: Polling suspended in LA-27 due to rain; 4 other seats up for grabs in Muzaffarabad district, 2 each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley Voting underway across country for 12 refugee seats — 7 in Punjab, other 5 divided between different provinces Bilawal condemns ‘attack’ on party’s regional president, says PPP worker died in LA-31 PPP alleges electoral malpractices at some polling stations in at least 11 constituencies Continuing his rigging allegations, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday accused the PML-N of “robbing” votes in the second phase of the AJK elections as well. In a post on X later in the day, he condemned an “attack” on party’s regional president Chaudhry Latif Akbar — also the candidate for LA-31 (Muzaffarabad-V). Accusing “miscreant elements of the PML-N” of being behind the incident, Bilawal said PPP worker Mushtaq Shah was killed in the same constituency. “The PML-N is robbing the votes of the people of Azad Kashmir through bullets, batons and coercion,” he alleged. The PPP chairman demanded that those responsible for the attack on Akbar and the “murderers” of the party worker be arrested immediately. In a separate statement, Bilawal said, “The PML-N has crossed all limits. Attacks are taking place on our voters and the president of the state (AJK).” He remarked that in Muzaffarabad, the PPP’s “politics of dignity and principles was in contest with the PML-N’s threat, rigging and coercion”. The PPP shared a complaint written to the Election Commission regarding a “physical assault” on Akbar. The party said the LA-31 candidate was “engaged in the electoral process on polling day” when the alleged incident took place, accusing three individuals. It said a first information report (FIR) was being registered and urged the Election Commission to order an inquiry into the “security lapse” that resulted in the incident. AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, who belongs to the PPP, took notice of the incident and ordered the chief secretary and the police chief to take those responsible to justice. The AJK PM termed the attack “a slap on the politics of dignity and principle in Kashmir”. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns, with the first set of polls held in Mirpur division on July 27, the second held today, and the third phase set for August 10 across Poonch division. Ahead of today’s elections, internet services were restored in parts of Muzaffarabad division after remaining suspended for 54 days on July 29. At the time, it was not clear whether the restoration covered the entire division or was limited to the state capital. Addressing the media on Sunday, the AJK CEC said that a letter had been written yesterday to request the restoration of internet services. He added that the outcome would be known today, without providing further details. “We will work according to the law; we will not come under pressure from anyone,” CEC Mughal said while responding to a question. PPP alleges electoral malpractices On Sunday, the PPP alleged electoral malpractices shortly after polling commenced, with several of the complaints claiming its polling agents at some stations were not allowed to observe the voting process. At 2pm, the party also wrote a separate letter to the Election Commission requesting follow-up on 25 complaints filed by it regarding 11 constituencies. The PPP said it had not received any formal written response or acknowledgement from the electoral watchdog on the status of any of the 25 complaints. “Given the gravity, number and geographical spread of the violations documented, the Party respectfully submits that a formal response from the Commission is now overdue and urgently required.” On the other hand, the PML-N’s social media posts revolved around voters across Muzaffarabad and Punjab showing up to cast ballots with “enthusiasm”. Several posts highlighted that a large number of voters were flocking to its election camps with those of other parties PML-N’s election camps with election camps of the PPP. The PML-N also wrote to the Election Commission in response to a PPP complaint about LA-40 (Valley-I), terming the latter’s allegations against its candidate Muhammad Naeem Khan as “baseless”. In the letter, seen by Dawn, the PML-N asserted that the allegations “regarding administrative failures are unsubstantiated and appear to be an attempt to create unnecessary controversy around the polling process”. The PML-N urged the electoral watchdog to ensure that “no misleading or politically motivated complaint is allowed to undermine public confidence in the integrity of the polling”. ‘Ballot stuffing’ At a polling station in LA-32 (Muzaffarabad-VI), the PPP accused PML-N supporters of “ballot stuffing”. It further said that a government employee had been deployed as a polling agent for the PML-N at a separate polling station. In LA-30 (Muzaffarabad-IV), the PPP claimed PML-N workers removed a ballot box at the Banaw Langah polling station and placed it outside, where they were allegedly “stamping ballot papers”. In Charakhpora Union Council of LA-31 (Muzaffarabad-V), the PPP said “bogus voting” was taking place at the Sharik Kamal Bandi-Khalsa polling station. The party said the alleged act “directly subverts the integrity of the poll”, adding that the polling station also did not have adequate security despite being declared “sensitive”. The PPP also alleged a PML-N MPA at a polling station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Abbottabad of obstructing the voting process for the refugee seat of LA-45 (Kashmir-VI). In LA-25 (Neelum-I), the PPP said the voting process at a polling station had been halted after reports emerged of PML-N supporters tearing up ballot papers. The PPP also said its polling agents at a polling station in LA-25’s Khawaja Sari reported that “fraudulent votes are being cast” there. It urged the Election Commission to dispatch officials and law enforcement to halt the alleged action. ‘Polling agents excluded’ The party alleged that its polling agents were not allowed to sit at polling stations for refugee seat LA-34 (Jammu-I) in Cantonment and Lahore’s Sheranwala Gate, calling on the Election Commission to intervene. The PPP wrote to the electoral watchdog about a similar complaint emerging from a polling station in Janabad, Sargodha, for LA-34. Sharing another letter addressed to the Election Commission about LA-34, the PPP said “elected members” of the PML-N were present inside a Pakpattan polling station and “stamping ballot papers”. It further claimed that its polling agent was “barred from entering the same polling station”. “The deliberate exclusion of the PPP’s oversight representative while PML-N’s own elected officials conduct fraud inside the station is not a coincidence — it is a coordinated strategy to commit electoral fraud without any independent witness,” it alleged. The party urged the electoral watchdog to dispatch law enforcement to the polling station and remove the PML-N supporters allegedly involved in “ballot stuffing”. Regarding LA-42 (Valley-III), the PPP filed a complaint over party candidate Asim Sharif Butt’s polling agent being “physically prevented” from entering a polling station in Muzaffargarh’s Alipur Tehsil. The PPP also claimed its polling agents at three polling stations in LA-30 (Muzaffarabad-IV) were denied from observing the electoral process. Similarly, the party said polling agents of candidate Ishfaq Zaffar were not permitted to take their seats at three polling stations in LA-32 (Muzaffarabad-VI). Terming it a “serious violation” of the electoral code of conduct, the PPP sought disciplinary action against the presiding officers who allegedly refused the agents from discharging their duties. At one of those polling stations, the PPP claimed a “violent confrontation” was underway between supporters of PML-N candidate Raja Farooq Haider and PPP supporters. Other issues In a separate statement in the morning, the party claimed that no polling staff was present at any of the 196 polling stations in LA-27, adding that this raised the concern that there was a “deliberate” attempt to delay the polling. Similarly, the party alleged that polling staff had reached late at 71 polling stations of LA-28, due to which the voting process was facing delays. The PPP claimed that a similar situation was being witnessed at several polling stations of LA-30, where polling staff had not arrived on time. Regarding LA-31, the PPP said it had written to the Election Commission on behalf of its candidate Akbar, urging it to take action over difficulties faced by voters due to the closure of the Rangla-Katkair Road in Muzaffarabad. The party said over 50 vehicles carrying voters were stuck due to the road’s closure. PML-N slams ‘blame game’ Earlier in the day, PML-N leader and Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam called on political parties not to indulge in a “blame game”. “Nothing is to be gained from a blame game,” he said during a press conference in Islamabad, adding that law enforcement personnel were also deployed to ensure security. “They should not act in a manner that ‘why was I not given seats’,” Muqam said, stressing that it was the public whose votes allocate seats. The minister urged all political parties to let the electoral process take place in a peaceful manner, stressing that making allegations without evidence cannot change the results. At the same time, Muqam also highlighted “arbitrary transfers and administrative decisions” in AJK, where the PPP is in power. He said the moves “seemed discriminatory”. He recalled that the PML-N had accepted the results of elections in Gilgit-Baltistan held in June, where the PPP emerged the winner and formed the government. Defending the results from Mirpur, Muqam asserted that the people voted for PML-N due to its performance. On the other hand, PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan also held a press conference where he called on the Election Commission to play its role in “proving” the election process in AJK to be free and fair. “Azad Kashmir is an international issue … people’s eyes are on it,” the former MNA said, adding that if the commission did not recognise the public and assure a free election, “tomorrow we will not be able to ratify this election under any circumstance”. He recalled that after the Mirpur polls, there was a detailed discussion within the party about boycotting the second and third phases. However, the party leadership refused the idea of a boycott. Chan cautioned that if the PPP was “compelled” to move towards such steps for the third phase, it would benefit those who wanted to prove the election “dirty”. “I see this becoming an ultra Form-47 election,” he said. He said that in negotiations in Muzaffarabad, the PPP had provided proof of rigging in four constituencies, as well as agreeing to hold re-polling in any other constituencies in which there were objections. He also called for a benchmark for voting, saying, “General polling was less than 30 per cent. But wherever you won, it was 80pc, 90pc, 75pc … this doesn’t even happen in urban cities like Islamabad and Lahore.” ‘Admission of rigging’ The PPP and the PML-N — coalition partners in the Centre — have been engaged in a war of words since the PML-N emerged in the lead during the first phase of polls. The PPP has accused the PML-N of rigging in Mirpur and demanded re-polling. Scuffles, violence and allegations of rigging had marred the polls in Mirpur, with the PML-N and PPP accusing each other of electoral malpractice. To defuse the tensions, senior leaders of both parties met multiple times in Azad Kashmir over the weekend to “explore a legal resolution” to the dispute. The latest round of talks followed two earlier meetings on Thursday and Friday. A PML-N source told Dawn that discussions focused on the PPP’s allegations and its demand for re-polling in certain constituencies. “It was not planned or pre-planned rigging but isolated acts at places where supporters of one candidate enjoyed numerical dominance over their opponents. Such incidents have unfortunately been part of the territory’s polling atmosphere and have also been witnessed in previous elections,” the source quoted the PML-N leaders as telling their counterparts. Referring to this statement in a X post on Sunday, Bilawal said: “Despite this admission from the rigging party, the [EC] has still failed to take action on our complaints from phase 1. Had they done so, the credibility of today’s phase 2 election would have been restored. “The PPP reserves the right to protest and demand re-election in phases where rigging took place, and the election commission failed to act. We have already sent multiple written complaints about ballot stuffing and illegal removal of our polling agents in today’s election. It is hoped the election commission acts swiftly and at least maintains fairness in round 2.” According to the sources, during meetings with the PML-N, PPP initially raised objections to the results in four constituencies — Charhoi, Sehnsa and Nakyal in Kotli district, and Barnala in Bhimber district during phase-I of the election. However, it later withdrew its allegations regarding Sehnsa and Barnala. Saturday’s discussions centred on Charhoi, where PPP AJK President Chaudhry Yasin lost to PML-N’s Raja Riasat, and Nakyal, where PPP candidate Javed Iqbal Budhanvi was defeated by PML-N’s Raja Ayaz Ahmed. Meanwhile, the Sharif family also held discussions at Jati Umra. According to a statement issued by the PM’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held consultations with his elder brother and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif at Jati Umra to take stock of mounting political challenges, including the rift with the PPP over the AJK elections. A senior PML-N leader told Dawn that the party leadership had taken serious note of the PPP chairman’s increasingly combative rhetoric against the Sharif family over the AJK polls and his warning that the PPP could reconsider its support for the federal government if the remaining phases of the elections were manipulated in favour of the PML-N. Election numbers According to the AJK Election Commission, 207 candidates are in the fray for the nine constituencies in Muzaffarabad division, comprising five seats in Muzaffarabad district and two each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley districts. Another 137 candidates are contesting the 12 refugee constituencies, including six seats representing refugees from the Kashmir Valley and six from Jammu. A total of 809,621 voters are registered in Muzaffarabad division, while the 12 refugee constituencies have a combined electorate of 438,834. According to the commission, 1,483 polling stations have been established across Muzaffarabad division, of which 533 have been declared highly sensitive, 741 sensitive and 209 normal. Another 1,057 polling stations have been set up for the 12 refugee constituencies. Out of 12 refugee seats, seven seats are in Punjab, one seat is in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one seat (Jammu-VI) is divided between Punjab, Islamabad and KP, one seat is divided between Sindh and Balochistan (Valley-I), and one seat (Jammu-I) is shared among refugees living in Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh. Valley-V seat is divided between Punjab and Islamabad. In Rawalpindi and Islamabad, about 27,000 registered male and female voters will elect lawmakers for LA-43 (Valley-IV), LA-44 (Valley-V), and LA-39 (Jammu-VI) seats. A total of 175 polling stations have been established, out of which 18 polling stations in Rawalpindi have been declared sensitive. A total of 34 candidates are in the fray. In Gujrat, almost 2,000 policemen will perform security duties at scores of polling stations for the LA-38 elections. The total number of polling stations in these districts is 115, with 75 in Gujrat, 24 in Wazirabad and 16 in Mandi Bahauddin. The total number of voters is 50,225 in the entire constituency. As many as 11 candidates are contesting this seat. In Sindh, officials said the elections will be conducted on LA-34 (Jammu-I) and LA-40 (Kashmir Valley-I) with polling stations established across Karachi and other districts of Sindh. In LA-34 (Jammu-I), a total of 17 candidates are contesting the election, which has 698 registered voters in Karachi’s seven districts and 477 voters in 13 other districts of Sindh. For LA-40 Kashmir (Valley-I), 11 candidates are in the race. The constituency has 4,200 registered voters in Karachi and 403 voters in 17 other districts of Sindh. In Balochistan, seven polling booths have been established across the province for the Kashmir Valley-I constituency, where 1,174 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots. Balochistan shares this seat with Sindh. For the Jammu-I constituency, six polling booths have been set up, with a total of 182 registered voters, including 85 men and 97 women, eligible to vote. Polling stations have been established for AJK refugee voters residing in Balochistan at various locations, including Quetta, Pishin, Qila Saifullah, Hub, Loralai, Sibi, Mastung, Zhob and Barkhan. In KP, 41 polling stations, mostly in Swat and Mansehra, have been set up for the LA-45 (Kashmir VI) seat. Additional input from Ameer Hamza and Mohammad Asghar
AJK seçimlerinin ikinci aşaması PPP'nin hile iddiaları gölgesinde tamamlandıBilawal again alleges rigging as second phase of AJK polls underway
The second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections began on Sunday morning. Polling is being held in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies. Polling started at 8am and will continue without interruption till 5pm. Over 300 candidates are vying for nine Muzaffarabad seats and 12 seats for refugees settled in different regions. What we know so far: 5 seats up for grabs in Muzaffarabad district, 2 each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley Voting underway across country for 12 refugee seats — 7 in Punjab, other 5 divided between different provinces Bilawal claims Election Commission “failed to take action” on its rigging complaints in Mirpur polls PPP alleges its polling agents not allowed to perform duties at some polling stations in LA-30, LA-32, LA-34 PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday accused the PML-N of “robbing” votes in the second phase of the AJK elections as well. In a post on X later in the day, he condemned an “attack” on PPP AJK President Chaudhry Latif Akbar — also the candidate for LA-31 (Muzaffarabad-V). Accusing “miscreant elements of the PML-N” of being behind the incident, Bilawal said PPP worker Mushtaq Shah was killed in the same constituency. “The PML-N is robbing the votes of the people of Azad Kashmir through bullets, batons and coercion,” he alleged. The PPP chairman demanded that those responsible for the attack on Akbar and the “murderers” of the party worker be arrested immediately. The PPP shared a complaint written to the Election Commission regarding a “physical assault” on its Akbar. The party said the LA-31 candidate was “engaged in the electoral process on polling day” when the alleged incident took place, accusing three individuals. It said a first information report (FIR) was being registered and urged the Election Commission to order an inquiry into the “security lapse” that resulted in the incident. AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, who belongs to the PPP, took notice of the incident and ordered the chief secretary and the police chief to take those responsible to justice. The AJK PM termed the attack “a slap on the politics of dignity and principle in Kashmir”. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns, with the first set of polls held in Mirpur division on July 27, the second being held today, and the third phase set for August 10 across Poonch division. Ahead of today’s elections, internet services were restored in parts of Muzaffarabad division after remaining suspended for 54 days on July 29. At the time, it was not clear whether the restoration covered the entire division or was limited to the state capital. Addressing the media on Sunday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said that a letter had been written yesterday to request the restoration of internet services. He added that the outcome would be known today, without providing further details. “We will work according to the law; we will not come under pressure from anyone,” he said while responding to a question. Meanwhile, polling was under way peacefully at polling stations in Rawalpindi’s Gujar Khan tehsil and Punjab’s Jhelum district, where ballots were being cast for refugee seats. According to official sources, 25 polling stations have been set up in Gujar Khan Tehsil and 24 polling stations in Jhelum District. ‘Admission of rigging’ Scuffles, violence and allegations of rigging had marred the first phase of polls in Mirpur, with the PML-N and PPP accusing each other of electoral malpractice. The PPP and the PML-N — coalition partners in the Centre — have been engaged in a war of words since the PML-N emerged in the lead during the first phase of polls. The PPP has accused the PML-N of rigging in Mirpur and demanded re-polling. To defuse the tensions, senior leaders of both parties met multiple times in Azad Kashmir over the weekend to “explore a legal resolution” to the dispute. The latest round of talks followed two earlier meetings on Thursday and Friday. A PML-N source told Dawn that discussions focused on the PPP’s allegations and its demand for re-polling in certain constituencies. “It was not planned or pre-planned rigging but isolated acts at places where supporters of one candidate enjoyed numerical dominance over their opponents. Such incidents have unfortunately been part of the territory’s polling atmosphere and have also been witnessed in previous elections,” the source quoted the PML-N leaders as telling their counterparts. Referring to this statement in a X post on Sunday, Bilawal said: “Despite this admission from the rigging party, the [EC] has still failed to take action on our complaints from phase 1. Had they done so, the credibility of today’s phase 2 election would have been restored. “The PPP reserves the right to protest and demand re-election in phases where rigging took place, and the election commission failed to act. We have already sent multiple written complaints about ballot stuffing and illegal removal of our polling agents in today’s election. It is hoped the election commission acts swiftly and at least maintains fairness in round 2.” According to the sources, during meetings with the PML-N, PPP initially raised objections to the results in four constituencies — Charhoi, Sehnsa and Nakyal in Kotli district, and Barnala in Bhimber district during phase-I of the election. However, it later withdrew its allegations regarding Sehnsa and Barnala. Saturday’s discussions centred on Charhoi, where PPP AJK President Chaudhry Yasin lost to PML-N’s Raja Riasat, and Nakyal, where PPP candidate Javed Iqbal Budhanvi was defeated by PML-N’s Raja Ayaz Ahmed. Meanwhile, the Sharif family also held discussions at Jati Umra. According to a statement issued by the PM’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held consultations with his elder brother and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif at Jati Umra to take stock of mounting political challenges, including the rift with the PPP over the AJK elections. A senior PML-N leader told Dawn that the party leadership had taken serious note of the PPP chairman’s increasingly combative rhetoric against the Sharif family over the AJK polls and his warning that the PPP could reconsider its support for the federal government if the remaining phases of the elections were manipulated in favour of the PML-N. Addressing a press conference earlier in the day, PML-N leader and Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam called on the PPP not to indulge in a “blame game”. “Nothing is to be gained from a blame game,” he said, adding that law enforcement personnel were also deployed to ensure security. “They should not act in a manner that ‘why was I not given seats’,” Muqam said, stressing that it was the public whose votes allocate seats. PPP alleges electoral malpractices On Sunday, the PPP alleged electoral malpractices shortly after polling commenced, with several of the complaints claiming its polling agents at some stations were not allowed to observe the voting process. At 2pm, the party also wrote a separate letter to the Election Commission requesting follow-up on 25 complaints filed by it regarding 11 constituencies. The PPP said it had not received any formal written response or acknowledgement from the electoral watchdog on the status of any of the 25 complaints. “Given the gravity, number and geographical spread of the violations documented, the Party respectfully submits that a formal response from the Commission is now overdue and urgently required.” On its part, the PML-N wrote to the Election Commission in response to a PPP complaint, terming the latter’s allegations against its candidate Muhammad Naeem Khan as “baseless”. In the letter, seen by Dawn, the PML-N asserted that the allegations “regarding administrative failures are unsubstantiated and appear to be an attempt to create unnecessary controversy around the polling process”. The PML-N urged the electoral watchdog to ensure that “no misleading or politically motivated complaint is allowed to undermine public confidence in the integrity of the polling”. ‘Ballot stuffing’ At a polling station in LA-32 (Muzaffarabad-VI), the PPP accused PML-N supporters of “ballot stuffing”. It further said that a government employee had been deployed as a polling agent for the PML-N at a separate polling station. In LA-30 (Muzaffarabad-IV), the PPP claimed PML-N workers removed a ballot box at the Banaw Langah polling station and placed it outside, where they were allegedly “stamping ballot papers”. In Charakhpora Union Council of LA-31 (Muzaffarabad-V), the PPP said “bogus voting” was taking place at the Sharik Kamal Bandi-Khalsa polling station. The party said the alleged act “directly subverts the integrity of the poll”, adding that the polling station also did not have adequate security despite being declared “sensitive”. The PPP also alleged a PML-N MPA at a polling station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Abbottabad of obstructing the voting process for the refugee seat of LA-45 (Kashmir-VI). In LA-25 (Neelum-I), the PPP said the voting process at a polling station had been halted after reports emerged of PML-N supporters tearing up ballot papers. The PPP also said its polling agents at a polling station in LA-25’s Khawaja Sari reported that “fraudulent votes are being cast” there. It urged the Election Commission to dispatch officials and law enforcement to halt the alleged action. ‘Polling agents excluded’ The party alleged that its polling agents were not allowed to sit at polling stations for refugee seat LA-34 (Jammu-I) in Cantonment and Lahore’s Sheranwala Gate, calling on the Election Commission to intervene. The PPP wrote to the electoral watchdog about a similar complaint emerging from a polling station in Janabad, Sargodha, for LA-34. Sharing another letter addressed to the Election Commission about LA-34, the PPP said “elected members” of the PML-N were present inside a Pakpattan polling station and “stamping ballot papers”. It further claimed that its polling agent was “barred from entering the same polling station”. “The deliberate exclusion of the PPP’s oversight representative while PML-N’s own elected officials conduct fraud inside the station is not a coincidence — it is a coordinated strategy to commit electoral fraud without any independent witness,” it alleged. The party urged the electoral watchdog to dispatch law enforcement to the polling station and remove the PML-N supporters allegedly involved in “ballot stuffing”. Regarding LA-42 (Valley-III), the PPP filed a complaint over party candidate Asim Sharif Butt’s polling agent being “physically prevented” from entering a polling station in Muzaffargarh’s Alipur Tehsil. The PPP also claimed its polling agents at three polling stations in LA-30 (Muzaffarabad-IV) were denied from observing the electoral process. Similarly, the party said polling agents of candidate Ishfaq Zaffar were not permitted to take their seats at three polling stations in LA-32 (Muzaffarabad-VI). Terming it a “serious violation” of the electoral code of conduct, the PPP sought disciplinary action against the presiding officers who allegedly refused the agents from discharging their duties. At one of those polling stations, the PPP claimed a “violent confrontation” was underway between supporters of PML-N candidate Raja Farooq Haider and PPP supporters. Other issues In a separate statement in the morning, the party claimed that no polling staff was present at any of the 196 polling stations in LA-27, adding that this raised the concern that there was a “deliberate” attempt to delay the polling. Similarly, the party alleged that polling staff had reached late at 71 polling stations of LA-28, due to which the voting process was facing delays. The PPP claimed that a similar situation was being witnessed at several polling stations of LA-30, where polling staff had not arrived on time. Regarding LA-31, the PPP said it had written to the Election Commission on behalf of its candidate Chaudhry Latif Akbar, urging it to take action over difficulties faced by voters due to the closure of the Rangla-Katkair Road in Muzafarrabad. The party said over 50 vehicles carrying voters were stuck due to the road’s closure. Election numbers According to the AJK Election Commission, 207 candidates are in the fray for the nine constituencies in Muzaffarabad division, comprising five seats in Muzaffarabad district and two each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley districts. Another 137 candidates are contesting the 12 refugee constituencies, including six seats representing refugees from the Kashmir Valley and six from Jammu. A total of 809,621 voters are registered in Muzaffarabad division, while the 12 refugee constituencies have a combined electorate of 438,834. According to the commission, 1,483 polling stations have been established across Muzaffarabad division, of which 533 have been declared highly sensitive, 741 sensitive and 209 normal. Another 1,057 polling stations have been set up for the 12 refugee constituencies. Out of 12 refugee seats, seven seats are in Punjab, one seat is in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one seat (Jammu-VI) is divided between Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one seat is divided between Sindh and Balochistan (Valley-I), and one seat (Jammu-I) is shared among refugees living in Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh. Valley-V seat is divided between Punjab and Islamabad. In Rawalpindi and Islamabad, about 27,000 registered male and female voters will elect lawmakers for LA-43 (Valley-IV), LA-44 (Valley-V), and LA-39 (Jammu-VI) seats. A total of 175 polling stations have been established, out of which 18 polling stations in Rawalpindi have been declared sensitive. A total of 34 candidates are in the fray. In Gujrat, almost 2,000 policemen will perform security duties at scores of polling stations for the LA-38 elections. The total number of polling stations in these districts is 115, with 75 in Gujrat, 24 in Wazirabad and 16 in Mandi Bahauddin. The total number of voters is 50,225 in the entire constituency. As many as 11 candidates are contesting this seat. In Sindh, officials said the elections will be conducted on LA-34 (Jammu-I) and LA-40 (Kashmir Valley-I) with polling stations established across Karachi and other districts of Sindh. In LA-34 (Jammu-I), a total of 17 candidates are contesting the election, which has 698 registered voters in Karachi’s seven districts and 477 voters in 13 other districts of Sindh. For LA-40 Kashmir (Valley-I), 11 candidates are in the race. The constituency has 4,200 registered voters in Karachi and 403 voters in 17 other districts of Sindh. In Balochistan, seven polling booths have been established across the province for the Kashmir Valley-I constituency, where 1,174 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots. Balochistan shares this seat with Sindh. For the Jammu-I constituency, six polling booths have been set up, with a total of 182 registered voters, including 85 men and 97 women, eligible to vote. Polling stations have been established for AJK refugee voters residing in Balochistan at various locations, including Quetta, Pishin, Qila Saifullah, Hub, Loralai, Sibi, Mastung, Zhob and Barkhan. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 41 polling stations, mostly in Swat and Mansehra, have been set up for the LA-45 (Kashmir VI) seat.
PML-N, PPP leaders resume talks to ease tensions over AJK polls
MUZAFFARABAD: Senior leaders of the PML-N and PPP on Saturday resumed talks aimed at defusing tensions between the two parties following the latter’s allegations of rigging in four of the 13 constituencies in Mirpur division during the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. The PPP and the PML-N — coalition partners in the Centre — have been engaged in a war of words since the PML-N emerged in the lead during the first phase of polls. The PPP has accused the PML-N of rigging in Mirpur and demanded re-polling. The latest round of talks followed two earlier meetings — the first at a local hotel on Thursday night and the second before noon on Friday. The PML-N delegation comprised Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, and PML-N AJK chapter secretary general and MLA-elect Chaudhry Tariq Farooq. Representing the PPP were former Senate chairman Nayyar Bokhari, former federal minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, who also serves as secretary general of the party’s AJK chapter. PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan attended the Friday meeting but was absent from today’s session. The meetings reviewed security arrangements ahead of the second phase of polling on Sunday. Both sides agreed that the Election Commission, as well as the divisional and district administrations, should leave no room for lapses in ensuring extraordinary security measures so that voters could exercise their franchise freely. According to sources, the discussions also focused on the PPP’s allegations of rigging and its subsequent demand for repolling in certain constituencies. The PPP was told that neither the government nor any institution had facilitated or backed rigging and that, if irregularities had occurred at any polling station, they were localised incidents rather than the result of any organised plan. “It was not planned or pre-planned rigging but isolated acts at places where supporters of one candidate enjoyed numerical dominance over their opponents. Such incidents have unfortunately been part of the territory’s polling atmosphere and have also been witnessed in previous elections,” a source quoted the PML-N leaders as telling their counterparts. The PML-N leadership maintained that, unlike the PPP, it had begun election preparations well in advance and had enforced greater organisational discipline through constituency-level planning. The PPP, they claimed, had remained under the impression that the elections would be delayed by a year and that the 12 refugee constituencies would be abolished, which prevented it from focusing on electoral preparations in time. The meeting also discussed ways to address the complaints through both political dialogue and legal channels, the source said. According to the sources, the PPP had initially raised objections to the results in four constituencies: Charhoi, Sehnsa and Nakyal in Kotli district, and Barnala in Bhimber district. However, it later withdrew its allegations regarding Sehnsa and Barnala. Saturday’s discussions centred on Charhoi, where PPP AJK president Chaudhry Yasin lost to the PML-N’s Raja Riasat, and Nakyal, where PPP candidate Javed Iqbal Budhanvi was defeated by the PML-N’s Raja Ayaz Ahmed. The sources said the PML-N had presented a detailed analysis of the results, showing that while its candidates had secured more than 80 per cent of the votes at some polling stations, the PPP had also won more than 80pc of the votes at others. “If any irregularities occurred, they occurred on both sides, and a mechanism has been discussed to address them, legally and politically,” said a PML-N leader. The meeting tasked both regional secretary generals — Rathore and Farooq — with contacting the Election Commission to explore a legal resolution to the dispute. Another meeting had been scheduled for Saturday afternoon, but it could not be held because Sanaullah and Muqam had to leave for Islamabad owing to urgent engagements. Both parties traded barbs earlier this week after the conclusion of the first phase of elections in AJK, with the PPP chairman alleging rigging in the polls and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz urging the PPP to accept defeat. The PML-N grabbed nine out of the 13 constituencies of AJK’s Mirpur division in the elections. In a televised statement, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz hailed the “outstanding victory” of the PML-N in the first phase of the AJK elections, urging the PPP to accept defeat. “The PPP should have accepted its defeat by affirming the spirit of democracy, but I felt aggrieved by the kind of words used by PPP leaders.” “The state does not decide election results; only the people make this decision,” she said in response to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s allegations. On Thursday, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari warned that a stolen election in AJK would start a “countdown” for the federal government. “If you steal [the election] … write it down, take my guarantee, that a countdown will start for your federal government,” he warned. “If you steal my mandate, I will come for your throne.”
Naqvi’s remarks ignite fresh debate in political circles
ISLAMABAD / HYDERABAD / LAHORE: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s call for an overhaul of the country’s governance structure and the carving out of new administrative units has ignited an animated debate across the country, with the PPP referring the question to its top decision-making forum, the Sindh chief minister flatly rejecting it, Lahore’s lawyers terming it unconstitutional and Sindhi nationalist groups demanding the minister’s resignation. Addressing the Pakistan Economic Summit in Islamabad on Thursday, Mr Naqvi said the present system of governance had collapsed and was fundamentally incapable of resolving the country’s problems. He urged all political parties to sit together and settle every outstanding issue, including the creation of new units and provinces, warning that without structural change the same debates would be taking place a decade from now. He described more administrative units as the only way to bring facilities closer to citizens, said new leadership was needed, and argued that the country’s youth wanted justice, merit and jobs rather than stipends and laptops. PPP refers matter to CEC The PPP’s Central Executive Committee will take up the question of new administrative units, party secretary general Nayyar Bokhari told Dawn, while insisting that the route must be constitutional rather than executive. Bokhari said the Constitution laid down a complete procedure, and that neither new provinces nor any change in provincial boundaries was possible without a two-thirds majority in the relevant provincial assembly, the National Assembly and the Senate. New provinces, he stressed, could not be brought about through an executive order. He said that if there was genuine seriousness about creating new provinces — South Punjab included — the matter should go to parliament and the constitutional requirements should be met. Mr Bokhari called on Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, whose party governs Punjab and the Centre, to begin the process in his own province, recalling that a resolution for a South Punjab province was already pending before the Punjab Assembly. Federal ministers, he said, should raise the issue in the cabinet and, once it was approved, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should consult PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on what he called an important national issue. The CEC would then deliberate, with every decision taken in line with the Constitution, democracy and the will of the people. Responding directly to the interior minister, Mr Bokhari said the proper forum for addressing flaws in the system was parliament rather than the media, and asked who should be held responsible if the system was not working. ‘Sindh will not accept it’ Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah dismissed the proposal as a stereotype that the people of his province would never accept. Speaking briefly to journalists at Bhit Shah on Friday, the chief minister said he had seen the minister’s remarks about the system having collapsed, but was unclear on what exactly Mr Naqvi was referring to. He noted that Shehbaz Sharif was prime minister, that the PML-N governed Punjab, the PPP governed Sindh, a coalition ran Balochistan and the PTI controlled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “If he thinks that this system is beyond repair now then he should come up with some proposals,” Mr Shah said. The minister had offered several suggestions, he added, but this particular one — new administrative units or provinces — was “a stereotype which people of this mystic land will not accept”. ‘Unconstitutional’ The Lahore High Court Bar Association condemned the interior minister’s statement on changing the governance system, calling it unconstitutional. In a joint statement, LHCBA President Babar Murtaza, Vice President Sohail Qaiser Tarar and Finance Secretary Malik Ali Raza Khokhar said those responsible for the destruction of the existing order were now proposing a “new system”. The country’s progress, survival and prosperity, they said, depended solely on strict adherence to the Constitution, the rule of law and complete independence of the judiciary. They criticised the minister for inviting politicians to alter the governance system at a time when, they claimed, popular political leaders and workers had been jailed for prolonged periods on fabricated and baseless charges. The office-bearers demanded the immediate release of all detained political workers and said state institutions and agencies must end their intervention so that constitutional supremacy and judicial freedom could be guaranteed. Call for Naqvi’s resignation Awami Tehreek leaders accused the interior minister of advocating the division of Sindh under the cover of creating new provinces, and demanded that he step down. In a joint statement on Friday, party president Vasand Thari, secretary general Sajid Hussain Mahesar and other leaders said Mr Naqvi enjoyed the PPP’s backing and had, after the MQM and some media organisations, taken up the role of an undeclared spokesperson for the establishment in promoting the new provinces agenda. They said he had lost the moral and political justification to remain interior minister. Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026
PPP's Central Executive Committee to deliberate creation of new administrative units: secretary general
ISLAMABAD: The PPP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) will deliberate on the matter of creating new administrative units, which should be created through the mechanism provided in the Constitution and by means of an executive order, the party’s secretary general Nayyar Bokhari said on Friday. “The Constitution of Pakistan has clearly laid down the complete procedure. Without a two-thirds majority in the relevant provincial assembly, the National Assembly and the Senate, neither the creation of new provinces nor any alteration in provincial boundaries is possible,” he said while speaking to Dawn. “New provinces cannot be created through an executive order. They can only be created through a constitutional decision of Parliament,” he added. Bokhari’s statement comes a day after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi echoed demands by multiple political parties for more provinces or administrative units. Those advocating for more administrative units view them as a way to improve governance. The PPP, which is the ruling party in Sindh, has opposed the creation of any new administrative units in the province but has advocated for the creation of a South Punjab province. Discussing the matter during his conversation with Dawn, Bokhari said, “If there is genuine seriousness about establishing new provinces, including South Punjab, the matter should be brought before Parliament and the constitutional requirements should be fulfilled.” He called upon Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who belongs to the ruling party in Punjab as well as at the Centre, to initiate the process of creating more administrative units from his own province. The PPP secretary general also recalled that a resolution for the creation of a South Punjab province was pending in the Punjab Assembly. Bokhari said federal ministers should raise the matter of creating new administrative units in the federal cabinet and, after obtaining its approval, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should consult PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on this “important national issue”. He added that the PPP’s CEC would deliberate on the matter and “every decision will be taken with due regard to the Constitution, democracy and the will of the people”. In the recent past, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) — an ally of the PML-N-led ruling coalition — has repeatedly demanded that Karachi be designated a province separate from Sindh. However, the PPP, which rules Sindh and is also an ally of the PML-N government at the Centre along with MQM-P, has strongly opposed the suggested move. On the other hand, the PPP and the PTI have long advocated for a South Punjab province. President of the Istehkam Pakistan Party (IPP) and Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan had urged political parties to accept the need for smaller provinces, demanding that each of the four provinces be divided into four provinces each for a total of 16. He said this was an immediate and sustainable solution to the problems of people living in far-flung areas. Addressing the Pakistan Economic Summit 2026 being held in Islamabad on Thursday, Interior Minister Naqvi said there was “only one solution” to improving the country’s overall condition: “You will have to take [the matter of] administrative units, provinces or whatever you may call it, to the public.” He added, “All political parties should sit together in a single room, whether for a day, a month or a year. They will have to settle every issue of their country, including new units and provinces.” “The system we are living under has collapsed. Problems cannot be solved through it,” he said. “If this system continues, we will still be sitting here 10 years from now discussing the same issues.” He noted that only structural change could break the cycle and that a reset was necessary, while adding that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, even while being hailed globally, were “simply firefighting”. Responding to Naqvi’s statement, Bokhari said that if there were flaws in the system, the appropriate forum to address them was Parliament, not the media. “Who should be held responsible if the system is not functioning properly?” asked the PPP leader. He said the country’s recent diplomatic successes were an asset for the entire nation, with Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir playing a key role in these successes. The PPP leader added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and the interior minister had also fulfilled their respective responsibilities, adding that it was now the federal government’s responsibility to translate these diplomatic achievements into economic stability and public relief. “If the economy does not improve, responsibility will rest with the federal government,” he declared.
Govt will resolve your issues and ensure your protection, Naqvi tells traders from KP and Balochistan
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has met a delegation of traders and industrialists from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan and assured them that the government would employ all available resources to resolve their issues and ensure their protection, the interior ministry said on Friday. In a statement on X, the ministry said representatives from all chambers of commerce spoke about the security situation in their respective provinces and the challenges they were facing. For his part, Naqvi briefed the delegation on the overall security situation in the country, particularly in KP and Balochistan, and the steps taken by the government in this regard, the statement added. “He assured the business community of complete cooperation,” it stated, further quoting Naqvi as saying: “The government will employ all available resources to resolve the issues of traders and industrialists and ensure their protection.” He further said that he would soon visit Peshawar and Quetta and hold detailed meetings with the business community in the presence of senior government officials and representatives so that “a permanent and practical solution” for the challenges being faced by traders and industrialists could be worked out. He further said, “The private sector plays a key role in stabilising the country’s economy. Pakistan’s progress lies in the progress of the business community. The government is with you and we will resolve all your legitimate issues.” Naqvi’s meeting with members of the business community takes place against the backdrop of security challenges in KP and Balochistan. A monthly security assessment released in early June by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said that after two consecutive months of improvement, Pakistan’s security situation deteriorated sharply in May, driven primarily by escalating terrorist violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Earlier this month, security forces and law enforcement personnel jointly launched Operation Shaban in Balochistan in retaliation for a deadly attack on a police post at the Mangi Dam pumping station in Ziarat on July 6. During that assault, armed attackers kidnapped and killed 27 police officers. Later, security forces also launched Operation Al-Azm in the province after a shooting on a Karachi-bound coach coming from Quetta claimed three lives and injured five others last week. More recently, in KP, nine policemen, including a deputy superintendent of police, were martyred and 28 others injured after terrorists attacked the Khazina Banda checkpost in Hangu district late on Wednesday. A statement issued by KP Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed said that the checkpost was attacked by Fitna-al-Khawarij, a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. Also on Wednesday, a policeman was martyred and four terrorists were killed during an operation in Swat’s Matta tehsil. On July 24, terrorists also attempted to breach a joint police checkpost’s perimeter in Tank, and according to ISPR, the attempt was “swiftly and decisively foiled” by security forces, who eliminated 12 terrorists. On Thursday, Naqvi had held a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, during which both reviewed the country’s overall law and order situation, with particular focus on the security situation in KP and Balochistan. The interior minister had briefed the president on the prevailing law and order situation in the two provinces, as well as the ongoing measures being taken to combat terrorism.
Naqvi, KP ve Belucistanlı Tüccarlara Koruma ve Destek Sözü VerdiNaqvi discusses KP, Balochistan security situation in meeting with traders, assures of ensuring protection
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has met a delegation of traders and industrialists from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan and assured them that the government would employ all available resources to resolve their issues and ensure their protection, the interior ministry said on Friday. In a statement on X, the ministry said representatives from all chambers of commerce spoke about the security situation in their respective provinces and the challenges they were facing. For his part, Naqvi briefed the delegation on the overall security situation in the country, particularly in KP and Balochistan, and the steps taken by the government in this regard, the statement added. “He assured the business community of complete cooperation,” it stated, further quoting Naqvi as saying: “The government will employ all available resources to resolve the issues of traders and industrialists and ensure their protection.” He further said that he would soon visit Peshawar and Quetta and hold detailed meetings with the business community in the presence of senior government officials and representatives so that “a permanent and practical solution” for the challenges being faced by traders and industrialists could be worked out. He further said, “The private sector plays a key role in stabilising the country’s economy. Pakistan’s progress lies in the progress of the business community. The government is with you and we will resolve all your legitimate issues.” Naqvi’s meeting with members of the business community takes place against the backdrop of security challenges in KP and Balochistan. A monthly security assessment released in early June by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said that after two consecutive months of improvement, Pakistan’s security situation deteriorated sharply in May, driven primarily by escalating terrorist violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Earlier this month, security forces and law enforcement personnel jointly launched Operation Shaban in Balochistan in retaliation for a deadly attack on a police post at the Mangi Dam pumping station in Ziarat on July 6. During that assault, armed attackers kidnapped and killed 27 police officers. Later, security forces also launched Operation Al-Azm in the province after a shooting on a Karachi-bound coach coming from Quetta claimed three lives and injured five others last week. More recently, in KP, nine policemen, including a deputy superintendent of police, were martyred and 28 others injured after terrorists attacked the Khazina Banda checkpost in Hangu district late on Wednesday. A statement issued by KP Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed said that the checkpost was attacked by Fitna-al-Khawarij, a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. Also on Wednesday, a policeman was martyred and four terrorists were killed during an operation in Swat’s Matta tehsil.** On July 24, terrorists also attempted to breach a joint police checkpost’s perimeter in Tank, and according to ISPR, the attempt was “swiftly and decisively foiled” by security forces, who eliminated 12 terrorists. On Thursday, Naqvi had held a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, during which both reviewed the country’s overall law and order situation, with particular focus on the security situation in KP and Balochistan. The interior minister had briefed the president on the prevailing law and order situation in the two provinces, as well as the ongoing measures being taken to combat terrorism.
Naqvi, KP ve Belucistanlı Tüccarlara Koruma ve Destek Sözü VerdiPresident approves Nishan-i-Imtiaz for new strategic command chief
President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday gave his approved for conferring the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on Commander National Strategic Command General Syed Aamer Raza. In a post on the social media platform X, the President’s Secretariat said, “The president has approved conferring Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on Gen Syed Aamer Raza, the commander of the National Strategic Command.” Gen Raza has previously been awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-i-Basalat (Star of Valour). Last week, the government had moved another step towards completing the restructuring of its higher military command, initiated under last year’s 27th Constitutional Amendment, by appointing Gen Raza as the country’s first Commander of the National Strategic Command, a newly created four-star office that will oversee the operational integration of Pakistan’s strategic forces. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promoted Gen Raza from the rank of lieutenant general and simultaneously appointed him to the new position. The office of Commander NSC was created through the 27th Constitutional Amendment enacted in November last year, which fundamentally altered Pakistan’s higher defence architecture by abolishing the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and creating the new position of Chief of Defence Forces, held concurrently by the Chief of Army Staff. Field Marshal Asim Munir became the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces following the constitutional changes. Under the amended Army Act, the Commander National Strategic Command is appointed by the prime minister on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Forces from among serving army generals and serves a three-year term. The office functions as the unified operational headquarters for the strategic forces by bringing together the Army, Navy and Air Force strategic commands under a single command structure. However, the National Command Authority, chaired by the prime minister, continues to retain ultimate authority over nuclear policy and employment. Before his elevation, Gen Raza had been serving as Chief of General Staff, the army’s principal operational appointment, where he oversaw the implementation of organisational changes necessitated by the 27th Amendment and the restructuring that followed last year’s conflict with India, including the establishment of the Army Rocket Force Command. A cavalry officer from OTS and commissioned into the 6th Lancers in 1988, he has commanded an armoured regiment, an armoured brigade, an infantry brigade in South Waziristan, an infantry division and Lahore’s IV Corps. He also headed Heavy Industries Taxila, besides serving as Director General Weapons and Equipment and Chief of Staff at II Corps. At the time of his promotion, Gen Raza ranked eighth on the Army’s seniority list of lieutenant generals.
Bilawal warns ‘countdown’ will begin for federal government if it steals AJK election
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari warned on Thursday that a stolen election in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) would start a “countdown” for the federal government. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns, with the first set of polls held in Mirpur division on Monday. Scuffles, violence and allegations of rigging had marred the polling process, with the PML-N and PPP accusing each other of electoral malpractice. “The PML-N thinks that after its defeat in Gilgit-Baltistan, a defeat in AJK would mean a countdown begins for its government,” Bilawal said while addressing a rally in Muzaffarabad ahead of the August 2 elections. “But this is a misconception.” “If you steal [the election] … write it down, take my guarantee, that a countdown will start for your federal government,” he warned. “If you steal my mandate, I will come for your throne.” The PPP scion added that his party contained elders who had challenged former leaders including General Ziaul Haq and Pervez Musharraf, and were experts at “hunting lions”. He also extended a message to the PTI — which has rejected the AJK elections over alleged rigging concerns — to “start doing politics” and leave behind “boycott politics”. “Boycotting elections, boycotting Parliament, boycotting committees, boycotting your work, boycotting struggle — if you want to boycott, you might as well just sit at home,” he said, calling on the PTI to contest the elections and do their job as a party. “Today I extend my hand towards PTI’s workers, towards its serious politicians,” he said. “To every political party that is tired of rigging, to every political worker who wants to make their own decision, come and join your hand with mine.” He expressed hope that together, they could bring about parliamentary reforms and ensure fair elections in Kashmir and all of Pakistan, expressing his readiness to work with all political parties on that agenda. Bilawal added that there was one way to stop rigging in an election: to turn out in such large numbers that an “injection” of false votes would not be effective, calling on PPP supporters to ensure this massive turnout during the second phase of the elections on August 2. While addressing the rally, he said that he welcomed the PML-N’s promise to provide Kashmir with buses, but added that “if you come to Muzaffarabad bringing the spectacle of what you have done in Lahore, people will ask: what you have done in Muzaffarabad?” Referring to the CMH flyover project in AJK, he pointed out that this had not been completed in five years. Meanwhile, the PPP was responsible for all three medical colleges in Kashmir as well as the building of universities. “I don’t want to make Kashmir into Punjab, or even Sindh,” the PPP chairman said. “I want … to make Kashmir into a strong Kashmir. I want to see it free.” Bilawal said that the first task for the elected government would be to end the difficulties of the people of AJK, including opening roads, delivering essential supplies and restoring internet and banking services. He highlighted that the PPP wanted to bring “fast, modern” internet to the region to allow it to stay connected. Throughout his address, he stressed his commitment to Kashmir’s right to make decisions regarding its own future, votes, and resources as well as jobs for its youth. He restated his intention to deliver “sovereignty, ownership and employment” to the people of AJK, saying that in institutions of Pakistan in which decisions were made on Kashmir’s “water, electricity, economy, budget and future”, Kashmir should have rightful seats and their own voice. “Election decisions should be done by ballots, not bullets. Votes should be counted during the election, not bodies,” he said. Recalling that Benazir Bhutto had given Kashmiris observer status at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, he pledged to also deliver observer status to Kashmiris in the National Finance Commission, Council of Common Interests, National Assembly, and Senate. Bilawal also stated his intention to deliver the same sovereignty and ownership to refugees, calling them “a part of our existence, our history and our movement”. He called for their rightful proportional representation in the AJK Assembly to be protected. He stressed that Kashmiri citizens were the “real owners” of the region’s natural resources, calling for the protection of their rivers and environment and for the region to get a fair financial share for the use of its resources. He added that the first right to jobs born from projects in the region should go to its own youth. The PPP chairman stressed that the PPP had submitted proof of winning 90-100 per cent of votes in Mirpur to the AJK election commission, but regretted that a notification had been issued instead. “I want to ask the election commissioner: are you an election commissioner for the PML-N, or the state of AJK?” he said, adding that a notification could not hide theft or stop justice. He demanded that ahead of August 2, complaints regarding the first phase of elections be heard publicly, and polling station results and ballot counts be brought before the public. “If it is not theft, then what are you hiding?” he emphasised, calling on the commission to restore its credibility.
AJK assembly adopts resolutions condemning ministers’ remarks, backing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted two resolutions on the recent unrest in Rawalakot and other parts of the region, with one condemning statements by federal ministers on the crisis and the other endorsing the establishment of an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission to probe the violence and pave the way for a negotiated settlement. This development emerged amid polls in AJK, which are being held in three phases over security concerns, with the first set of polls held in Mirpur division on Monday. Scuffles, violence and allegations of rigging marred the polling process, with the PML-N and PPP accusing each other of electoral malpractice. The assembly met under the chairmanship of panel member Nabeela Ayoub, but only nine members were in attendance — seven from the ruling PPP and one each from the opposition PML-N and PTI. The first resolution was tabled by former AJK president Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan on Wednesday, while the second was tabled by PPP regional president Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin. Yaqoob, however, was not present during today’s session. Endorsing his resolution, the assembly condemned what it described as “irresponsible” statements by federal ministers regarding the recent Rawalakot incidents. The resolution particularly censured Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for allegedly refusing to recognise the people of Rawalakot as Kashmiris, saying that such remarks had hurt public sentiment and should have been taken notice of by the prime minister. Recalling the role of the people of Poonch in the Pakistan Movement and the state’s subsequent accession to Pakistan, the resolution said that those whose skins had been flayed alive in 1832 belonged to the same land. Continuing, the resolution said that Ghulam Haider Jhandalvi, who had represented the Kashmiris at the adoption of the Pakistan Resolution in Lahore on March 23, 1940, and AJK’s founding president Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, at whose Srinagar residence the July 19, 1947, accession resolution was adopted, were also sons of the same soil. The resolution said the federal ministers’ statements had “added fuel to the fire” and negatively affected people in Rawalakot, elsewhere in the state and among the Kashmiri diaspora. It called for the implementation of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s proposal to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and urged that no further action be taken in Rawalakot until such a mechanism was put in place. The resolution further called on the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections and demanded that alleged irregularities in the recent elections in the Mirpur division be addressed before fresh polling. It also stressed that dialogue was the only way forward, warning that continued confrontation would only harm the people of the state while providing India with an opportunity to exploit the situation internationally. It described a Truth and Reconciliation Commission as the only viable means of preventing further instability. The assembly also unanimously adopted the second, much more detailed resolution moved by Yasin, reaffirming its commitment to constitutional supremacy, democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of life and property. The resolution paid tribute to security forces, police and law enforcement personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty and expressed sympathy with the families of all civilians, police personnel and security officials killed or injured during the recent unrest. While affirming that peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and the presentation of legitimate political, economic, administrative and social demands were constitutional and democratic rights, it declared that the use of weapons, violence, vandalism, intimidation and other unlawful means could not be accepted as legitimate means of political struggle. It called on peaceful protesters to distance themselves from armed and violent elements and stressed that responsibility for any offences should be determined individually through evidence, transparent investigations and due legal process. It also demanded that the government and law enforcement agencies act against armed and violent elements without discrimination and in accordance with the Constitution and the law, making clear that the objective of state action should be the enforcement of the law and the restoration of peace rather than revenge. The resolution reiterated that no individual, political party or organisation would be allowed to challenge the writ of the state through force or violence, while insisting that all people arrested and those under investigation must be dealt with in accordance with constitutional guarantees, fair trial requirements and judicial procedures. It also expressed sorrow over the loss of life and property suffered by citizens during the recent tensions and called for all such incidents to be examined through an impartial, transparent and lawful process without any predetermined conclusions. In this regard, the assembly supported, in principle, the establishment of an independent, impartial and appropriately empowered Truth and Reconciliation Commission to examine the causes and sequence of the recent crisis, all deaths, injuries, property losses and allegations concerning violence and the use of weapons. The resolution additionally proposed that the federal government and representatives of the protesters jointly endorse in writing the establishment, composition, terms of reference, scope and procedure of the commission, after which the AJK government should constitute it without delay under the relevant law. It further proposed that such an endorsement should be accompanied by an immediate end to protests and simultaneous de-escalation by the government, including the restoration of roads, emergency and medical access, essential supplies, communications, including mobile and internet services, and normal civic and economic activity. It also envisaged that protesting parties would refrain from resuming protests until the commission completed its findings, while the governments of AJK and Pakistan would pause further action pending the inquiry, except where necessary to address specific and imminent threats to life or public safety. The proposed commission would be mandated to examine all relevant records, FIRs, documents, videos, forensic material, communications and testimony, while allowing all affected families and relevant parties to present evidence. It would not determine criminal guilt or impose punishment, but could refer matters requiring further action to competent investigative, prosecutorial or judicial authorities. Its final report, subject to national security, privacy and witness protection requirements, would be made public and could recommend humanitarian relief, compensation, institutional reforms, legal proceedings and measures to prevent a recurrence. The resolution also urged the AJK government to simultaneously address the people’s legitimate political, economic, administrative and social demands through dialogue and constitutional means, asserting that political disputes should be resolved through negotiations, legal issues through courts and public decisions through the ballot. It concluded by reaffirming the Legislative Assembly’s commitment to peace, democracy, constitutional governance and public rights, condemning all acts of armed violence and disorder and praying for peace, stability and prosperity in the region. After the resolutions were passed, the PML-N’s Nisara Abbasi pointed out the lack of quorum, following which the chair ordered the bells to be rung. Ayoub adjourned the Assembly for 15-20 minutes, but when it assembled again, the attendance showed no improvement, prompting the chair to adjourn the session till Friday.
AJK Meclisi, federal bakanların açıklamalarını kınadı, Hakikat Komisyonu'na destek verdiPakistan Navy rescues 19 crew members of fishing vessel stranded near Gwadar
The Pakistan Navy said on Thursday that it had successfully rescued 19 crew members aboard a fishing vessel stranded south of Gwadar due to engine failure. In a statement, the navy said that the fishing vessel Al Jalali was is distress about 120 nautical miles south of Gwadar. “A total of 19 crew members onboard the vessel, including 11 Pakistani and 8 Iranian nationals, were stranded at sea due to engine failure of the vessel,” the navy said. “The situation was further aggravated by deteriorating weather conditions in the North Arabian Sea during the ongoing monsoon, placing the lives of the crew in immediate danger,” it added. It said that upon reviving the distress call, the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Centre promptly coordinated with Pakistan Navy to initiate an immediate search and rescue operation. PNS Taimur was immediately tasked to undertake the rescue operation and provide assistance to the stranded fishing vessel, it said. “Owing to the swift and timely response, crew members of Al Jalali were provided with food, drinking water, and medical care at sea, and the stranded vessel was thereafter towed safely towards shore,” it said. President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the Pakistan Navy for rescuing the fishermen. “The rescue of Pakistani and Iranian nationals is a manifestation of Pakistan Navy’s high professional skills and humanitarian compassion,” he said. “The protection of human lives at sea is a testament to Pakistan Navy’s full commitment to its national and international responsibilities,” he added. Earlier this month, the Pakistan Navy, in coordination with the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, successfully rescued all 20 crew members from a sinking cargo dhow operating east of Ormara.
LHC Rawalpindi bench left without a single judge
RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) is functioning without a single judge for the first time since its establishment in 1981, as a delay in presidential approval for new judicial appointments has created an unprecedented crisis in the administration of justice across Punjab. The deadlock has left the LHC registries in Rawalpindi, Multan and Bahawalpur without judges, forcing litigants to travel to the principal seat in Lahore at considerable expense. Currently, only four judges are available to hear cases at the principal seat during the current week. LHC Bar Association President Saeed Yousaf Khan told Dawn that the Rawalpindi Bench, established in 1981, had historically maintained at least three or four judges even during summer vacations. “This is the first time that no judge is available to hear cases at this registry,” he said, describing the situation as unprecedented. Presidential delay in judicial appointments affects working of high court registries across Punjab He added that the situation was equally critical at the Bahawalpur and Multan registries. The LHC, Pakistan’s oldest and largest high court with a sanctioned strength of 60 judges, is facing an acute shortage. Sources said Chief Justice Aalia Neelum had approved leave for several judges since she was confident that newly appointed judges would take oath on July 27. The Judicial Commission of Pakistan, headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, had approved the appointment of 10 additional judges to the LHC at its meeting on July 21. However, the summary is still awaiting President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval, with the oath-taking ceremony, initially scheduled for July 27, now indefinitely postponed. Sources said the new judges were expected to take oath on July 27 before being posted to the Rawalpindi, Multan and Bahawalpur benches along with a senior judge at each registry. However, after the matter unexpectedly stalled at the Presidency, the appointments could not be finalised, resulting in a severe shortage of judges this week. According to sources, the President’s Office has conveyed reservations about some nominees, citing concerns that at least two judges-designate had previously been booked in criminal cases. The government is reportedly weighing constitutional options under Article 48 if the delay continues. Presidency officials, however, maintain that the president has discretion under Article 48(2) and is not bound by any constitutional timeframe to grant approval. ‘General body meeting’ A senior lawyer in Bahawalpur told Dawn that the district bar had convened a general body meeting to discuss the absence of judges at the registry. He said the bar had demanded the immediate posting of judges, as litigants could not afford the additional travel expenses incurred by their counsel when appearing before the principal seat in Lahore, even for bail applications and habeas corpus petitions. The delay has also affected appointments to the Islamabad, Sindh and Balochistan high courts, where a total of 19 additional judges are awaiting presidential approval. The JCP had recommended 10 judges for the LHC, three for the Islamabad High Court and six for the Sindh High Court, while leaving two vacancies unfilled. Sources said the PPP leadership was dissatisfied with the JCP for not considering its preferred nominees, particularly for the Sindh High Court. The party had proposed several candidates, but both judicial and executive members of the commission opposed the appointment of nominees below the age of 45. Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2026
Pakistan ranks fifth for total viral hepatitis burden, says PMA
ISLAMABAD: While World Hepatitis Day is being observed today (Tuesday), Pakistan ranked fifth in the world for total viral hepatitis burden behind only China, India, Indonesia and Nigeria, says Pakistan Medical Association (PMA). Secretary General PMA Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro said Pakistan carries the heaviest burden of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), accounting for 10 million chronic cases. When combined with an estimated 3.8 million people living with Hepatitis B (HBV), a staggering 13.8 million Pakistanis live with chronic viral infection ranking Pakistan fifth in the world for total viral hepatitis burden behind only China, India, Indonesia and Nigeria. The national prevalence rate for Hepatitis C ranged between 4.8pc and 7.5pc, while Hepatitis B affected 1.1pc to 1.7pc of the population. Complications such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) claim over 37,000 Pakistani lives annually. “WHO data highlights that Pakistan accounts for nearly 44pc of all new global Hepatitis C infections caused by unsafe medical injections. Each year, roughly 110,000 new infections occur in the country 62pc due to unsafe medical procedures (including unscreened blood transfusions) and 38pc due to injection drug use,” he said. “In Pakistan transmission is predominantly spread through re-use of non-sterile syringes, medical equipment, and intravenous drips, unscreened or improperly screened blood transfusions, unsanitary practices during surgical care, dental procedures, body/ear piercing, tattooing, and shaving with non-sterilized razors at barber shops, and quackery (unlicensed practitioners) and low coverage of the mandatory Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine given within 24 hours of delivery,” Dr Shoro said. President Asif Zardari, in connection with the day, stated that day served as a reminder that while Hepatitis remained one of the most significant public health challenge facing the nation, yet it was preventable and can be cured through early detection, early treatment, collective commitment and sustained action. “Pakistan bears one of the highest Hepatitis C burdens in the world, affecting millions of individuals and placing a considerable strain on our healthcare system, economy and society. The challenge before us is immense, but so is our determination to overcome it. To stem this tide, we must confront the primary drivers of this epidemic in our society including the use of unsterilised medical equipment, the unsafe reuse of syringes, unscreened blood transfusions and unsanitary practices in barbershops and beauty salons. The key to overcoming this crisis is a robust, two-pronged strategy of strict regulation and enforcement to eliminate unsafe healthcare and commercial practices, combined with mass public awareness campaigns to empower citizens with the knowledge to protect themselves and their families,” he said. Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that if hepatitis was left undiagnosed or inadequately treated, it can pose a grave threat to human life. He said that ensuring effective prevention, early diagnosis, access to quality treatment, and raising public awareness were among the government’s foremost public health priorities. He reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to strengthening the country’s public health system, preventing diseases, promoting preventive healthcare, and enacting effective legislation to ensure the provision of quality healthcare services to the people. In his message, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah said that public awareness, early diagnosis, and equitable access to treatment were essential for preventing hepatitis. Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2026
Pakistan viral hepatit yükünde dünyada beşinci sıradaClose contest sees ‘N’ take the lead in Mirpur polls
• One seat still contested; unofficial results show PML-N on top in seven constituencies; PPP ahead in five • One killed, two injured in Nakyal violence • PPP alleges ‘rigging, ballot stuffing’ by ‘N’ candidates in Kotli • TTAP says electoral process failed to inspire ‘public confidence’ • PTI insists ‘minimal’ voter turnout reflects ‘discontent’ MIRPUR: Scuffles, violence and allegations of rigging marred the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections on Monday, as polling concluded in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division with the PML-N seemingly in command, taking the lead on seven seats against the PPP’s five. According to unofficial and unverified results available at the time of going to press, the PML-N appeared to have swept all three seats in Bhimber district, claimed two out of four constituencies in Mirpur district and three out of six in Kotli district. At a late-night presser, Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal announced the official result for LA-1 (Mirpur-I). The CEC said PML-N’s Azhar Sadiq was successful with 15,427 votes, while his opponent Muhammad Afzal Shahid trailed with 9,832 votes. The rest of the results were in the pipeline, he said, adding that they would be released in due course. In Mirpur district, Chaudhry Rukhsar was leading in Kharri Sharif, while the PPP’s Yasir Sultan was winning in Mirpur city. Meanwhile, incumbent PPP Finance Minister Qasim Majeed retained the Chakswari seat. In Bhimber district, PML-N’s Chaudhry Tariq Farooq led former AJK PM Chaudhry Anwarul Haq by a comfortable margin, while Waqar Ahmed Noor and Chaudhry Razzaq also had a comfortable lead in their respective constituencies. Kotli district saw a 4-2 split, with the PPP’s Zafar Iqbal Malik ahead in LA-8 (Kotli-I), party president Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin comfortably ahead in both LA-10 (Kotli-III) and LA-12 (Kotli-V). The LA-11 (Kotli-IV) constituency was closely contested between PPP’s Chaudhry Akhlaq and PML-N’s Raja Asif, with no clear winner emerging overnight. Meanwhile, the PML-N was leading on two seats, with Sardar Umair Naeem ahead in LA-9 (Kotli-II), and Raja Ijaz Ahmed set to clinch LA-13 (Kotli-VI). In his remarks, the chief election commissioner termed these polls “the most difficult” in the history of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, for reasons that “everyone is aware of”. While one or two isolated incidents do occur during elections, political parties often misrepresent them by blowing those occurrences out of proportion, without investigating them, he said. CEC Mughal said that a presiding officer and his attached patwari, who were said to have gone into a private Kotli residence along with the election materials, were arrested and replaced with fresh personnel, and the polling material was recovered. He also referred to a constituency in Raj Mahal where polling could not be held due to a disturbance, as well as the death of a political worker in Nakyal. However, he insisted the polling process was completed smoothly, despite the tragedy. Polling and violence Polling began at 8am and continued until 6pm across the three districts of Mirpur division — Bhimber, Mirpur and Kotli — after voting hours were extended by one hour. A total of 288 candidates contested the 13 seats, although the principal contest was between the ruling PML-N and the PPP. According to the Election Commission, voting was held at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 were declared highly sensitive and 724 sensitive. In Mirpur city, voter turnout remained sluggish during the morning, with polling officials attributing it to the hot and humid weather and the tendency of urban voters to head to polling stations later in the day. “Firstly, it’s hot and humid, and secondly, many urban voters wake up late on a holiday,” a polling agent said. Officials said turnout was noticeably higher in rural and peripheral areas. While minor scuffles between PPP and PML-N workers were reported in Kotli district earlier in the day, polling turned violent in LA-9 Kotli-II (Nakyal) in the afternoon. In a post on X, the PPP claimed that its worker, Mukhtar Younus, was killed during “incidents of display of arms and public harassment” by supporters of their rival candidate. Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz confirmed that one man was killed and two others, including the deceased’s father, were injured in the incident. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also condemned the killing, alleging that Younus had been killed in firing by Naeem. “My worker has been martyred in Mirpur’s Nakyal. Where are the relevant authorities? What is the Election Commission doing?” he asked in a statement. Elsewhere, supporters of Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Ali Shan Soni allegedly snatched ballot boxes from a polling station in LA-6 (Samahni), according to the Mirpur commissioner. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show armed men firing during the disturbance. Speaking to party workers in Muzaffarabad, Bhutto-Zardari urged that the elections remain transparent and credible, saying only an assembly elected through a genuine mandate could address the region’s challenges. “We all want to bring stability back to AJK; the first step towards bringing stability is to ensure free and fair elections,” he said, adding that the electoral process had already become “a bit controversial”, including over the unresolved issue of refugee constituencies. Rigging allegations Meanwhile, the PPP also accused the PML-N of widespread electoral malpractice. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, PPP Information Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan alleged that PML-N candidates were involved in ballot stuffing and rigging in Kotli. He also accused the ruling party of attempting to influence voters by announcing the gift of 10 electric buses for AJK ahead of the elections. Sindh minister Saeed Ghani alleged that PML-N workers had opened fire during the election campaign, injuring several PPP supporters, and criticised what he described as the Election Commission’s ineffective oversight. Separately, the Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) expressed concern over the conduct of the elections, alleging that the process had failed to inspire public confidence and citing reports of low voter participation in several areas. The opposition alliance announced that it would launch a nationwide movement from Aug 5 focusing on the constitutional rights of former prime minister Imran Khan and the constitutional and democratic rights of the people of AJK. The PTI also questioned the credibility of the electoral process, reiterating that it had boycotted the elections because prevailing conditions did not allow free, fair and transparent polling. It alleged that voter turnout had remained low, while the PML-N and PPP were more interested in sharing power than addressing the public’s concerns, adding that elections lacking transparency and meaningful political competition could neither strengthen democracy nor reflect the true public mandate. Irfan Sadozai, Syed Irfan Raza and Ikram Junaidi in Islamabad also contributed to this report Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2026
Mirpur seçimlerinde PML-N önde, şiddet ve hile iddiaları gölge düşürdüPolling concludes in Mirpur division as scuffles, rigging allegations mar first phase of AJK elections
Scuffles and rigging allegations marred the first phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections as polling concluded in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division on Monday. Polling began at 8am and concluded at 6pm across all three districts — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — of the division after a one-hour extension. While minor skirmishes and scuffles between PPP and PML-N workers in Kotli district were reported earlier in the day, the electoral process took a violent turn in the afternoon in LA-9 Kotli-II (Nakyal). In a statement on X, the PPP claimed that party worker Mukhtar Younus “died during incidents of display of arms and public harassment by PML-N candidate Sardar Umair Naeem”. PPP AJK Election Cell Incharge Sardar Abdul Shakoor demanded that all those involved in the incident be immediately arrested, law and order be restored, and the safety of voters’ lives and property be ensured. Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed his grief over the death, saying he received reports that Younus has been killed “in firing by” PML-N’s Naeem. “My worker has been martyred in Mirpur’s Nakyal. Where are the relevant authorities? What is the Election Commission doing?” he asked in a statement. He said a video had emerged two days ago of Naeem and his companions “firing in public”, adding that there would not have been a loss of life if the relevant authorities had taken notice of the video back then. Bilawal noted that Younus had been running an election campaign with party candidate Javed Budhanvi. The PPP chairman alleged last week that a criminal case registered against Budhanvi was politically motivated. Earlier in the day, the electoral process at three polling stations in Kotli and two in Bhimber district was suspended for the rest of the day due to polling-related incidents. Repolling would depend upon if the total number of votes casted impacted the results. Both the PPP and PML-N — allies in the Centre but face to face in the AJK polls — accused the other of rigging in multiple constituencies of Kotli. In a post on X, the PPP urged the Election Commission to take notice of the PML-N’s alleged “attempts to influence polling” in Union Council Throchi of the LA-12 constituency (Kotli-V), where Yasin is the PPP candidate. Shakoor, the PPP’s election cell head, said that PML-N candidate Raja Riasat Khan allegedly entered “polling stations along with armed men and is trying to influence the polling process” in the constituency where the PPP AJK president is contesting. Shakoor further said that “slow mobile phone service” was creating difficulties in communication for residents, the media and rescue authorities. The PPP urged the Election Commission to ensure security at polling stations and an “independent, just and peaceful electoral environment”. The PPP also accused the PML-N of “interfering in the polling process” in the LA-8 constituency of Kotli. The party alleged in a post on X that the PML-N was trying to interfere in and disrupt the polling process at the Raj Mahal polling station. The PPP demanded that the Election Commission take notice of the matter, ensure fair, transparent and peaceful polling, and take action against those violating the election code of conduct. In Bhimber district’s Samahni tehsil, supporters of Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Ali Shan Soni took away ballot boxes from a polling station, according to the Mirpur divisional commissioner. PMLN senior leader Raja Azhar Iqbal said the polling station accounted for more than 500 votes and that they had lodged a written complaint with the district returning officer (DRO). Individuals affiliated with Soni also set fire to a ballot box at another polling station, following which police took 30 people into custody in connection with the incident, Commissioner Mumtaz said. Today (Monday) had been declared a public holiday in all three districts of Mirpur to facilitate polling. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns. The second and third phases are scheduled for August 2 and August 10 in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies, and 11 constituencies of Poonch division, respectively. FIR filed against 2 presiding officers in LA-10 Ahead of the voting, the PML-N alleged pre-poll rigging in Kotli’s LA-10 constituency. Rana Sanaullah, who is also the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs, alleged that PPP President in AJK Chaudhry Yasin was involved in election rigging and that presiding officers involved in the act had been apprehended. In an audio clip played on Geo News, he also demanded the AJK government and the AJK prime minister arrest a patwari he identified as Qaiser and interrogate him on the matter to locate others involved in the alleged rigging. Sanaullah said the election results in the constituency would not be acceptable to his party until the completion of this “inquiry”. While there was no official statement from the AJK government explicitly referring to the incident, a statement by the Election Commission said two presiding officers in Kotli had been arrested after it was reported that instead of reaching the relevant polling stations they had gone to “a residence”. The Election Commission said “both presiding officers” were arrested and suspended from their duties, and legal action was being initiated against them under the law. A statement by the Press Information Department said two new presiding officers had been deployed in their place at the relevant polling stations, after confiscating the polling material provided to the apprehended officials. However, a first information report (FIR) filed about the incident named three presiding officers. The FIR was registered on Sunday night at City Police Station Kotli under provisions of the local election act and penal code. It said patwari Qaiser Ali, government school instructor Saqib Faryad, and college lecturer for physics Mazahir Aslam were supposed to be deployed at separate polling stations assigned to them. However, they collected polling material from the RO office and stayed at the residence of another individual “on the suggestion of” Qaiser. The FIR noted that “other political parties protested strongly” over the development and asserted that the action amounted to a violation of the electoral code of conduct. For his part, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal Chan responded to Sanaullah’s allegation in a video statement, saying that his party had been pointing out from “day one that you have been announcing projects [in AJK] and your federal ministers are present at government offices on the day of polling”. “So our first demand is that the federal government’s machinery should not interfere [in the elections] at all,” he said, further referring to the PML-N’s provision of e-buses to Mirpur and Muzaffarabad over the past few days. He also alleged the use of government resources in elections, demanding an end to it. Chan stressed the need for fair and transparent elections, saying: “We will not let rigging happen at any cost. Have some patience and let people cast their vote.” Security beefed up A total of 288 candidates contested today’s election. According to the Election Commission, votes were to be cast at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 were declared “highly sensitive” and 724 “sensitive”. Election monitoring was organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies were deployed under a three-tier security plan. Under the arrangement, police provided the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel were also to be deployed, while Quick Response Force (QRF) teams were to remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Earlier in the day, the Mirpur commissioner visited various polling stations and noted that the electoral process was underway across the division with the “security apparatus in place”. Speaking to the media in the afternoon, AJK Inspector General of Police (IGP) retired Captain Liaqat Ali Malik said the polling process was underway in a largely peaceful manner. Addressing the “one or two incidents” reported, he said minor scuffles were a “part of political activity”. The police chief said some verbal arguments could occur as “temperatures are usually high” at some of the 2,316 polling stations where a close competition is expected. IGP Malik noted that the police’s responsibility was to perform their duties in a “neutral, transparent and unbiased” manner. Asked about an incident in LA-6 and a fire at a polling station in Bhimber, he said QRF teams stationed nearby responded. The police chief further asserted that legal action will be taken against anyone who attempts to disrupt polling regardless of their political affiliation. He reiterated that such scuffles “routinely take place during such a process”. Meanwhile, AJK Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan cast his ballot at a polling station in Bhimber’s Samahni tehsil. AJK Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan casts his ballot at a polling station in Bhimber’s Samahni tehsil. — photo via Tariq Naqash On Sunday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face strict legal action. The warning followed the announcement by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on social media about a planned long march from Mirpur division towards Muzaffarabad. A core member of the JAAC, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, had claimed that caravans would converge at the Rawalakot sit-in, before marching towards Muzaffarabad after Zuhr prayers on the election day. Bilawal vs Nawaz The PPP and PML-N, which are allies in the Centre, have been engaging in a war of words lately and taking jibes at each other, as the two parties emerge as major contenders in the AJK race. Bilawal and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif were both participating in canvassing in the lead-up to the polls, with observers seeing this election as a contest between the two. Addressing a public rally in Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. The PML-N had also given 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift” and announced development schemes, prompting the PPP to decry poll code violations. Bilawal on Sunday responded to Nawaz’s jibe, saying that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. He also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. “Something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right,” he said, adding that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment.
PPP: AJK Seçimlerinde Arbede ve Hile İddiaları Arasında İşçi Hayatını KaybettiPerson dies in Mirpur's Kotli as scuffles, rigging allegations mar first phase of AJK elections
A person, whom the PPP said was its political worker, died in Kotli district’s Nakyal tehsil as the first phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections was underway in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division on Monday. Polling began at 8am and was to conclude at 5pm. However, Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz Khan said the time was extended till 6pm across all three districts — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — of the division. While some skirmishes and scuffles between PPP and PML-N workers in Kotli district were reported earlier in the day, the electoral process took a violent turn in the afternoon in LA-9 Kotli-II (Nakyal). In a statement on X, the PPP claimed that party worker Mukhtar Younus “died during incidents of display of arms and public harassment by PML-N candidate Sardar Umair Naeem”. PPP AJK Election Cell Incharge Sardar Abdul Shakoor demanded that all those involved in the incident be immediately arrested, law and order be restored, and the safety of voters’ lives and property be ensured. Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed his grief over the death, saying he received reports that Younus has been killed “in firing by” PML-N’s Naeem. “My worker has been martyred in Mirpur’s Nakyal. Where are the relevant authorities? What is the Election Commission doing?” he asked in a statement. He said a video had emerged two days ago of Naeem and his companions “firing in public”, adding that there would not have been a loss of life if the relevant authorities had taken notice of the video back then. Bilawal noted that Younus had been running an election campaign with party candidate Javed Budhanvi. The PPP chairman alleged last week that a criminal case registered against Budhanvi was politically motivated. Earlier in the day, polling at certain stations in Kotli district was briefly suspended due to heated exchanges between workers and supporters of the PPP and PML-N. Both parties — allies in the Centre but face to face in the AJK polls — have accused the other of rigging in multiple constituencies in Kotli. In a post on X, the PPP urged the Election Commission to take notice of the PML-N’s alleged “attempts to influence polling” in Union Council Throchi of the LA-12 constituency (Kotli-V), where Yasin is the PPP candidate. Shakoor, the PPP’s election cell head, said that PML-N candidate Raja Riasat Khan allegedly entered “polling stations along with armed men and is trying to influence the polling process” in the constituency where the PPP AJK president is contesting. Shakoor further said that “slow mobile phone service” was creating difficulties in communication for residents, the media and rescue authorities. The PPP urged the Election Commission to ensure security at polling stations and an “independent, just and peaceful electoral environment”. The PPP also accused the PML-N of “interfering in the polling process” in the LA-8 constituency of Kotli. The party alleged in a post on X that the PML-N was trying to interfere in and disrupt the polling process at the Raj Mahal polling station. The PPP demanded that the Election Commission take notice of the matter, ensure fair, transparent and peaceful polling, and take action against those violating the election code of conduct. In Bhimber district, the PML-N accused Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Ali Shan Soni of barging into the Baba Shadi Shaheed polling station and burning ballot papers. PMLN senior leader Raja Azhar Iqbal said the polling station accounted for more than 500 votes and that they have lodged a written complaint with the district returning officer (DRO). Police said they were investigating the incident. Today (Monday) had been declared a public holiday in all three districts of Mirpur to facilitate polling. FIR filed against 2 presiding officers in LA-10 Ahead of the voting, the PML-N alleged pre-poll rigging in Kotli’s LA-10 constituency. Rana Sanaullah, who is also the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs, alleged that PPP President in AJK Chaudhry Yasin was involved in election rigging and that presiding officers involved in the act had been apprehended. In an audio clip played on Geo News, he also demanded the AJK government and the AJK prime minister arrest a patwari he identified as Qaiser and interrogate him on the matter to locate others involved in the alleged rigging. Sanaullah said the election results in the constituency would not be acceptable to his party until the completion of this “inquiry”. While there was no official statement from the AJK government explicitly referring to the incident, a statement by the Election Commission said two presiding officers in Kotli had been arrested after it was reported that instead of reaching the relevant polling stations they had gone to “a residence”. The Election Commission said “both presiding officers” were arrested and suspended from their duties, and legal action was being initiated against them under the law. A statement by the Press Information Department said two new presiding officers had been deployed in their place at the relevant polling stations, after confiscating the polling material provided to the apprehended officials. However, a first information report (FIR) filed about the incident named three presiding officers. The FIR was registered on Sunday night at City Police Station Kotli under provisions of the local election act and penal code. It said patwari Qaiser Ali, government school instructor Saqib Faryad, and college lecturer for physics Mazahir Aslam were supposed to be deployed at separate polling stations assigned to them. However, they collected polling material from the RO office and stayed at the residence of another individual “on the suggestion of” Qaiser. The FIR noted that “other political parties protested strongly” over the development and asserted that the action amounted to a violation of the electoral code of conduct. For his part, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal Chan responded to Sanaullah’s allegation in a video statement, saying that his party had been pointing out from “day one that you have been announcing projects [in AJK] and your federal ministers are present at government offices on the day of polling”. “So our first demand is that the federal government’s machinery should not interfere [in the elections] at all,” he said, further referring to the PML-N’s provision of e-buses to Mirpur and Muzaffarabad over the past few days. He also alleged the use of government resources in elections, demanding an end to it. Chan stressed the need for fair and transparent elections, saying: “We will not let rigging happen at any cost. Have some patience and let people cast their vote.” Security beefed up A total of 288 candidates contested today’s election. According to the Election Commission, votes were to be cast at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 were declared “highly sensitive” and 724 “sensitive”. Election monitoring was organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies were deployed under a three-tier security plan. Voting under way at a polling station in Kot Jamil, Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author Under the arrangement, police provided the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel were also to be deployed, while Quick Response Force (QRF) teams were to remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Earlier in the day, the Mirpur commissioner visited various polling stations and noted that the electoral process was underway across the division with the “security apparatus in place”. Speaking to the media in the afternoon, AJK Inspector General of Police (IGP) retired Captain Liaqat Ali Malik said the polling process was underway in a largely peaceful manner. Addressing the “one or two incidents” reported, he said minor scuffles were a “part of political activity”. The police chief said some verbal arguments could occur as “temperatures are usually high” at some of the 2,316 polling stations where a close competition is expected. IGP Malik noted that the police’s responsibility was to perform their duties in a “neutral, transparent and unbiased” manner. Asked about an incident in LA-6 and a fire at a polling station in Bhimber, he said QRF teams stationed nearby responded. The police chief further asserted that legal action will be taken against anyone who attempts to disrupt polling regardless of their political affiliation. He reiterated that such scuffles “routinely take place during such a process”. Meanwhile, AJK Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan cast his ballot at a polling station in Bhimber’s Samahni tehsil. AJK Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan casts his ballot at a polling station in Bhimber’s Samahni tehsil. — photo via Tariq Naqash On Sunday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face strict legal action. The warning followed the announcement by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on social media about a planned long march from Mirpur division towards Muzaffarabad. A core member of the JAAC, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, had claimed that caravans would converge at the Rawalakot sit-in, before marching towards Muzaffarabad after Zuhr prayers on the election day. Bilawal vs Nawaz The PPP and PML-N, which are allies in the Centre, have been engaging in a war of words lately and taking jibes at each other, as the two parties emerge as major contenders in the AJK race. Bilawal and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif were both participating in canvassing in the lead-up to the polls, with observers seeing this election as a contest between the two. Addressing a public rally in Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. The PML-N had also given 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift” and announced development schemes, prompting the PPP to decry poll code violations. Bilawal on Sunday responded to Nawaz’s jibe, saying that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. He also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. “Something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right,” he said, adding that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment.
PPP: AJK Seçimlerinde Arbede ve Hile İddiaları Arasında İşçi Hayatını KaybettiPPP says worker died in Mirpur's Kotli as scuffles, rigging allegations mar first phase of AJK elections
The PPP on Monday claimed that its worker died during electoral violence in Kotli district’s Nakyal tehsil as the first phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections was underway in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division. Polling began at 8am and will continue till 5pm. Today (Monday) had been declared a public holiday in all three districts — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — of the division to facilitate polling. While some skirmishes and scuffles between PPP and PML-N workers in Kotli district were reported earlier in the day, the electoral process took a violent turn in the afternoon in LA-9 Kotli-II (Nakyal). In a statement on X, the PPP claimed that party worker Mukhtar Younus “died during incidents of display of arms and public harassment by PML-N candidate Sardar Umair Naeem”. PPP AJK Election Cell Incharge Sardar Abdul Shakoor demanded that all those involved in the incident be immediately arrested, law and order be restored, and the safety of voters’ lives and property be ensured. Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed his grief over the death, saying he received reports that Younus has been killed “in firing by” PML-N’s Naeem. “My worker has been martyred in Mirpur’s Nakyal. Where are the relevant authorities? What is the Election Commission doing?” he asked in a statement. He said a video had emerged two days ago of Naeem and his companions “firing in public”, adding that there would not have been a loss of life if the relevant authorities had taken notice of the video back then. Bilawal noted that Younus had been running an election campaign with party candidate Javed Budhanvi. The PPP chairman alleged last week that a criminal case registered against Budhanvi was politically motivated. Earlier in the day, polling at certain stations in Kotli district was briefly suspended due to heated exchanges between workers and supporters of the PPP and PML-N. Both parties — allies in the Centre but face to face in the AJK polls — have accused the other of rigging in multiple constituencies in Kotli. In a post on X, the PPP urged the Election Commission to take notice of the PML-N’s alleged “attempts to influence polling” in Union Council Throchi of the LA-12 constituency (Kotli-V), where Yasin is the PPP candidate. Shakoor, the PPP’s election cell head, said that PML-N candidate Raja Riasat Khan allegedly entered “polling stations along with armed men and is trying to influence the polling process” in the constituency where the PPP AJK president is contesting. Shakoor further said that “slow mobile phone service” was creating difficulties in communication for residents, the media and rescue authorities. The PPP urged the Election Commission to ensure security at polling stations and an “independent, just and peaceful electoral environment”. The PPP also accused the PML-N of “interfering in the polling process” in the LA-8 constituency of Kotli. The party alleged in a post on X that the PML-N was trying to interfere in and disrupt the polling process at the Raj Mahal polling station. The PPP demanded that the Election Commission take notice of the matter, ensure fair, transparent and peaceful polling, and take action against those violating the election code of conduct. FIR filed against 2 presiding officers in LA-10 Ahead of the voting, the PML-N alleged pre-poll rigging in Kotli’s LA-10 constituency. Rana Sanaullah, who is also the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs, alleged that PPP President in AJK Chaudhry Yasin was involved in election rigging and that presiding officers involved in the act had been apprehended. In an audio clip played on Geo News, he also demanded the AJK government and the AJK prime minister arrest a patwari he identified as Qaiser and interrogate him on the matter to locate others involved in the alleged rigging. Sanaullah said the election results in the constituency would not be acceptable to his party until the completion of this “inquiry”. While there was no official statement from the AJK government explicitly referring to the incident, a statement by the Election Commission said two presiding officers in Kotli had been arrested after it was reported that instead of reaching the relevant polling stations they had gone to “a residence”. The Election Commission said “both presiding officers” were arrested and suspended from their duties, and legal action was being initiated against them under the law. A statement by the Press Information Department said two new presiding officers had been deployed in their place at the relevant polling stations, after confiscating the polling material provided to the apprehended officials. However, a first information report (FIR) filed about the incident named three presiding officers. The FIR was registered on Sunday night at City Police Station Kotli under provisions of the local election act and penal code. It said patwari Qaiser Ali, government school instructor Saqib Faryad, and college lecturer for physics Mazahir Aslam were supposed to be deployed at separate polling stations assigned to them. However, they collected polling material from the RO office and stayed at the residence of another individual “on the suggestion of” Qaiser. The FIR noted that “other political parties protested strongly” over the development and asserted that the action amounted to a violation of the electoral code of conduct. For his part, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal Chan responded to Sanaullah’s allegation in a video statement, saying that his party had been pointing out from “day one that you have been announcing projects [in AJK] and your federal ministers are present at government offices on the day of polling”. “So our first demand is that the federal government’s machinery should not interfere [in the elections] at all,” he said, further referring to the PML-N’s provision of e-buses to Mirpur and Muzaffarabad over the past few days. He also alleged the use of government resources in elections, demanding an end to it. Chan stressed the need for fair and transparent elections, saying: “We will not let rigging happen at any cost. Have some patience and let people cast their vote.” Security beefed up A total of 288 candidates contested today’s election. According to the Election Commission, votes were to be cast at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 were declared “highly sensitive” and 724 “sensitive”. Election monitoring was organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies were deployed under a three-tier security plan. Voting under way at a polling station in Kot Jamil, Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author Under the arrangement, police provided the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel were also to be deployed, while Quick Response Force (QRF) teams were to remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Earlier in the day, Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz Khan visited various polling stations and noted that the electoral process was underway across the division with the “security apparatus in place”. Speaking to the media in the afternoon, AJK Inspector General of Police (IGP) retired Captain Liaqat Ali Malik said the polling process was underway in a largely peaceful manner. Addressing the “one or two incidents” reported, he said minor scuffles were a “part of political activity”. The police chief said some verbal arguments could occur as “temperatures are usually high” at some of the 2,316 polling stations where a close competition is expected. IGP Malik noted that the police’s responsibility was to perform their duties in a “neutral, transparent and unbiased” manner. Asked about an incident in LA-6 and a fire at a polling station in Bhimber, he said QRF teams stationed nearby responded. The police chief further asserted that legal action will be taken against anyone who attempts to disrupt polling regardless of their political affiliation. He reiterated that such scuffles “routinely take place during such a process”. AJK Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan cast his ballot at a polling station in Bhimber’s Samahni tehsil. AJK Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan casts his ballot at a polling station in Bhimber’s Samahni tehsil. — photo via Tariq Naqash On Sunday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face strict legal action. The warning followed the announcement by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on social media about a planned long march from Mirpur division towards Muzaffarabad. A core member of the JAAC, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, had claimed that caravans would converge at the Rawalakot sit-in, before marching towards Muzaffarabad after Zuhr prayers on the election day. Bilawal vs Nawaz The PPP and PML-N, which are allies in the Centre, have been engaging in a war of words lately and taking jibes at each other, as the two parties emerge as major contenders in the AJK race. Bilawal and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif were both participating in canvassing in the lead-up to the polls, with observers seeing this election as a contest between the two. Addressing a public rally in Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. The PML-N had also given 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift” and announced development schemes, prompting the PPP to decry poll code violations. Bilawal on Sunday responded to Nawaz’s jibe, saying that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. He also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. “Something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right,” he said, adding that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment.
PPP: AJK Seçimlerinde Arbede ve Hile İddiaları Arasında İşçi Hayatını KaybettiFirst phase of AJK polls underway in Mirpur division amid allegations of rigging
The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections have begun in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division. Polling began at 8am and will continue till 5pm. Today (Monday) has been declared a public holiday in all three districts — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — of the division to facilitate polling. A total of 288 candidates are contesting today’s election. According to the Election Commission, polling will be held at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 have been declared ‘highly sensitive’ and 724 ‘sensitive’. Election monitoring has been organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed under a three-tier security plan. A voter casts his vote at a polling station in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author Under the arrangement, police will provide the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel will also be deployed, while Quick Response Force teams will remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns. The second and third phases are scheduled for August 2 and August 10 in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies, and 11 constituencies of Poonch division, respectively. Rigging allegations As polling was under way on Monday, the PML-N alleged rigging in Kotli’s LA-10 constituency. Rana Sanaullah, who is also the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs, alleged that PPP President in AJK Chaudhry Yasin was involved in election rigging and that presiding officers involved in the act had been apprehended. In an audio clip played on Geo News, he also demanded the AJK government and the AJK prime minister arrest a patwari he identified as Qaisar and interrogate him on the matter to locate others involved in the alleged rigging. Sanaullah said the election results in the constituency would not be acceptable to his party until the completion of this “inquiry”. While there was no official statement from the AJK government explicitly referring to the incident, a statement released by the Press Information Department late on Sunday said two presiding officers in Kotli had been arrested after it was reported that instead of reaching the relevant polling stations they had gone to “a residence”. “When the incident was reported, the returning officer issued directives to confiscate the polling material provided to the two presiding officers and replace them. “The returning officer took the polling material into his custody, removed the presiding officers from their duties and had them arrested,” the statement said. It added that action was being taken against them according to the law while two new presiding officers had been deployed in their place at the relevant polling stations. For his part, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal Chan responded to Sanaullah’s allegation in a video statement, saying that his party had been pointing out from “day one that you have been announcing projects [in AJK] and your federal ministers are present at government offices on the day of polling”. “So our first demand is that the federal government’s machinery should not interfere [in the elections] at all,” he said, further referring to the PML-N’s announcement of e-buses for AJK and their subsequent arrival in Muzaffarabad last week. He also alleged the use of government resources in elections, demanding an end to it. Chan stressed the need for fair and transparent elections, saying: “We will not let rigging happen at any cost. Have some patience and let people cast their vote.” Bilawal vs Nawaz The PPP and PML-N, which are allies in the Centre, have been engaging in a war of words lately and taking jibes at each other, as the two parties emerge as major contenders in the AJK race. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif were both participating in canvassing in the lead up to the polls, with observers seeing this election as a contest between the two. Addressing a public rally in AJK’s Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. The PML-N had also given 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift” and announced development schemes, prompting the PPP to decry poll code violations. Bilawal on Sunday responded to Nawaz’s jibe, saying that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. He also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. “Something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right,” he said, adding that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment. CEC urges citizens to vote, warns against disrupting polls On Sunday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal urged more than 1.4 million registered voters to turn out in large numbers to elect their representatives. In a video message, the CEC said elaborate security arrangements had been made for the polls, with security forces and Quick Response Force teams deployed at polling stations and security also being ensured for voters travelling to and from polling stations. He warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face strict legal action. Voting under way at a polling station in Kot Jamil, Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author The warning followed the announcement by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on the social media about a planned long march from Mirpur division towards Muzaffarabad on Sunday. A core member of the JAAC, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, had claimed that caravans would converge at the Rawalakot sit-in, before marching towards Muzaffarabad after Zuhr prayers on the election day. However, when Mirpur DIG police was asked about the protest call given by the banned outfit, the official told Dawn on Sunday evening that not a single person had turned up anywhere to participate in any Rawalakot-bound rally. Meanwhile, AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan also warned of strict legal action against anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process or disturb public order afterwards.
First phase of AJK polls begins in Mirpur division amid allegations of rigging
The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections have begun in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division. Polling began at 8am and will continue till 5pm. Today (Monday) has been declared a public holiday in all three districts — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — of the division to facilitate polling. A total of 288 candidates are contesting today’s election. According to the Election Commission, polling will be held at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 have been declared ‘highly sensitive’ and 724 ‘sensitive’. Election monitoring has been organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed under a three-tier security plan. A voter casts his vote at a polling station in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author Under the arrangement, police will provide the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel will also be deployed, while Quick Response Force teams will remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns. The second and third phases are scheduled for August 2 and August 10 in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies, and 11 constituencies of Poonch division, respectively. Rigging allegations While the polling was under way on Monday, the PML-N alleged rigging in Kotli’s LA-10 constituency. Rana Sanaullah, who is also the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs, alleged that PPP President in AJK Chaudhry Yasin was involved in election rigging and that presiding officers involved in the act had been apprehended. In an audio clip played on Geo News, he also demanded from the AJK government and the AJK prime minister to arrest a patwari he identified as Qaisar and interrogate him on the matter to locate others involved in the alleged rigging. Sanaullah said the election results in the constituency would not be acceptable to his party until the completion of this “inquiry”. While there was no official statement from the AJK government explicitly referring to the incident, a statement released by the Press Information Department late on Sunday said two presiding officers in Kotli had been arrested after it was reported that instead of reaching the relevant polling stations they had gone to “a residence”. “When the incident was reported, the returning officer issued directives to confiscate the polling material provided to the two presiding officers and replace them. “The returning officer took the polling material into his custody, removed the presiding officers from their duties and had them arrested,” the statement said. It added that action was being taken against them according to the law while two new presiding officers had been deployed in their place at the relevant polling stations. For his part, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal Chan responded to Sanaullah’s allegation in a video statement, saying that his party had been pointing out from “day one that you have been announcing projects [in AJK] and your federal ministers are present at government offices on the day of polling”. “So our first demand is that the federal government’s machinery should not interfere [in the elections] at all,” he said, further referring to the PML-N’s announcement of e-buses for AJK and their subsequent arrival in Muzaffarabad last week. He also alleged the use of government resources in elections, demanding an end to it. Specifically addressing allegations in Kotli, he explained that polling staff would stay at someone’s residence. Chan stressed the need for fair and transparent elections, saying: “We will not let rigging happen at any cost. Have some patience and let people cast their vote.” Bilawal vs Nawaz The PPP and PML-N, which are allies in the Centre, have been engaging in a war of words lately and taking jibes at each other, as the two parties emerge as major contenders in the AJK race. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif were both participating in canvassing in the lead up to the polls, with observers seeing this election as a contest between the two. Addressing a public rally in AJK’s Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. The PML-N had also given 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift” and announced development schemes, prompting the PPP to decry poll code violations. Bilawal on Sunday responded to Nawaz’s jibe, saying that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. He also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. “Something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right,” he said, adding that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment. CEC urges citizens to vote, warns against disrupting polls On Sunday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal urged more than 1.4 million registered voters to turn out in large numbers to elect their representatives. In a video message, the CEC said elaborate security arrangements had been made for the polls, with security forces and Quick Response Force teams deployed at polling stations and security also being ensured for voters travelling to and from polling stations. He warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face strict legal action. Voting under way at a polling station in Kot Jamil, Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author The warning followed the announcement by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on the social media about a planned long march from Mirpur division towards Muzaffarabad on Sunday. A core member of the JAAC, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, had claimed that caravans would converge at the Rawalakot sit-in, before marching towards Muzaffarabad after Zuhr prayers on the election day. However, when Mirpur DIG police was asked about the protest call given by the banned outfit, the official told Dawn on Sunday evening that not a single person had turned up anywhere to participate in any Rawalakot-bound rally. Meanwhile, AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan also warned of strict legal action against anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process or disturb public order afterwards.
First phase of AJK polls begins in Mirpur division; PML-N alleges rigging in Kotli's LA-10 constituency
The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections have begun in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division. Polling began at 8am and will continue till 5pm. Today (Monday) has been declared a public holiday in all three districts — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — of the division to facilitate polling. A total of 288 candidates are contesting today’s election. According to the Election Commission, polling will be held at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 have been declared ‘highly sensitive’ and 724 ‘sensitive’. Election monitoring has been organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed under a three-tier security plan. A voter casts his vote at a polling station in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author Under the arrangement, police will provide the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel will also be deployed, while Quick Response Force teams will remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns. The second and third phases are scheduled for August 2 and August 10 in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies, and 11 constituencies of Poonch division, respectively. CEC urges citizens to vote, warns against disrupting polls On Sunday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal urged more than 1.4 million registered voters to turn out in large numbers to elect their representatives. In a video message, the CEC said elaborate security arrangements had been made for the polls, with security forces and Quick Response Force teams deployed at polling stations and security also being ensured for voters travelling to and from polling stations. He warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face strict legal action. Voting under way at a polling station in Kot Jamil, Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author The warning followed the announcement by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on the social media about a planned long march from Mirpur division towards Muzaffarabad on Sunday. A core member of the JAAC, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, had claimed that caravans would converge at the Rawalakot sit-in, before marching towards Muzaffarabad after Zuhr prayers on the election day. However, when Mirpur DIG police was asked about the protest call given by the banned outfit, the official told Dawn on Sunday evening that not a single person had turned up anywhere to participate in any Rawalakot-bound rally. Meanwhile, AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan also warned of strict legal action against anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process or disturb public order afterwards. Rigging allegations While the polling was under way on Monday, the PML-N alleged rigging in Kotli’s LA-10 constituency. Rana Sanaullah, who is also the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs, alleged that PPP President in AJK Chaudhry Yasin was involved in election rigging and that presiding officers involved in the act had been apprehended. In an audio clip played on Geo News, he also demanded from the AJK government and the AJK prime minister to arrest a patwari he identified as Qaisar and interrogate him on the matter to locate others involved in the alleged rigging. Sanaullah said the election results in the constituency would not be acceptable to his party until the completion of this “inquiry”. While there was no official statement from the AJK government explicitly referring to the incident, a statement released by the Press Information Department late on Sunday said two presiding officers in Kotli had been arrested after it was reported that instead of reaching the relevant polling stations they had gone to “a residence”. “When the incident was reported, the returning officer issued directives to confiscate the polling material provided to the two presiding officers and replace them. “The returning officer took the polling material into his custody, removed the presiding officers from their duties and had them arrested,” the statement said. It added that action was being taken against them according to the law while two new presiding officers had been deployed in their place at the relevant polling stations. For his part, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal Chan responded to Sanaullah’s allegation in a video statement, saying that his party had been pointing out from “day one that you have been announcing projects [in AJK] and your federal ministers are present at government offices on the day of polling”. “So our first demand is that the federal government’s machinery should not interfere [in the elections] at all,” he said, further referring to the PML-N’s announcement of e-buses for AJK and their subsequent arrival in Muzaffarabad last week. He also alleged the use of government resources in elections, demanding an end to it. Specifically addressing allegations in Kotli, he explained that polling staff would stay at someone’s residence. Chan stressed the need for fair and transparent elections, saying: “We will not let rigging happen at any cost. Have some patience and let people cast their vote.” Bilawal vs Nawaz The PPP and PML-N, which are allies in the Centre, have been engaging in a war of words lately and taking jibes at each other, as the two parties emerge as major contenders in the AJK race. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif were both participating in canvassing in the lead up to the polls, with observers seeing this election as a contest between the two. Addressing a public rally in AJK’s Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. The PML-N had also given 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift” and announced development schemes, prompting the PPP to decry poll code violations. Bilawal on Sunday responded to Nawaz’s jibe, saying that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. He also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. “Something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right,” he said, adding that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment.
Karachi's Munawar Chowrangi underpass opened to traffic
A drone view of the underpass.—Dawn KARACHI: The newly constructed Munawar Chowrangi Underpass in Gulistan-i-Jauhar was opened to traffic on Sunday. The underpass was inaugurated during a ceremony attended by elected representatives, senior government officials, engineers, Karachi Development Authority (KDA) officials and local residents. Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab expressed their confidence that the project would improve traffic flow and reduce travel time between some of the city’s busiest residential and commercial neighbourhoods. They said the project would be formally inaugurated later by Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. Mayor Wahab says proposed flyover at Disco Bakery intersection in Gulshan-i-Iqbal has been ‘put on hold Constructed by the KDA at a cost of around Rs2 billion, the underpass stretches nearly 500 metres and features a 24-foot-wide dual carriageway. Officials said the project was completed in 16 months well ahead of its originally scheduled completion period. Addressing the ceremony, Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said the project reflected the provincial government’s commitment to upgrading Karachi’s urban infrastructure. “Karachi’s development, the construction of modern urban infrastructure and resolving long-standing traffic issues remain among the Sindh government’s highest priorities,” he said. “Multiple development projects are under way simultaneously across the city, while funds have already been allocated for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of major roads.” The minister said investigations were continuing wherever complaints regarding construction quality had been received, adding that no negligence or substandard work would be tolerated. Responding to criticism that Karachi had been neglected, CM Murad said the city had witnessed steady progress in recent years. “Those who portray Karachi as a ruined city are ignoring the facts on the ground,” he said. “The government has completed several flyovers, underpasses, roads and other development projects, while illegal marriage halls built on playgrounds have also been ruined city are ignoring the facts on the ground,” he said. “The government has completed several flyovers, underpasses, roads and other development projects, while illegal marriage halls built on playgrounds have also been removed to restore public recreational spaces.” Mayor Murtaza Wahab said the early completion of the underpass demonstrated the administration’s resolve to deliver public projects efficiently. “We must not become complacent with our performance but continue working harder because we believe that movement brings progress,” he said. “People should compare today’s Karachi with the past. Over the next year, citizens will witness even faster development and visible improvements in infrastructure and civic facilities.” The mayor said work was continuing across the city on roads, flyovers, underpasses, parks, playgrounds and other civic amenities, while an industrial park would soon be inaugurated by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. Controversial flyover at Disco Bakery Responding to a question, the mayor announced that the proposed flyover at the Disco Bakery intersection in Gulshan-i-Iqbal had been put on hold after the elected Jamaat-i-Islami town chairman requested the city administration not to proceed with the project. The proposed flyover had generated a considerable public debate in recent months, with residents, urban planners, architects and transport experts questioning its necessity and arguing that another elevated road would reinforce Karachi’s car-centric development model at the expense of pedestrians, public transport and the surrounding urban environment. The mayor said the flyover had originally been proposed to address increasing traffic congestion at the intersection but the KMC had decided to halt the project following the request from the local elected leadership. Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2026
First phase of AJK polls begins in Mirpur division
The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections have begun in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division. Polling began at 8am and will continue till 5pm. Today (Monday) has been declared a public holiday in all three districts — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — of the division to facilitate polling. A total of 288 candidates are contesting today’s election. According to the Election Commission, polling will be held at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 have been declared ‘highly sensitive’ and 724 ‘sensitive’. Election monitoring has been organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed under a three-tier security plan. Under the arrangement, police will provide the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel will also be deployed, while Quick Response Force teams will remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns. The second and third phases are scheduled for August 2 and August 10 in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies, and 11 constituencies of Poonch division, respectively. CEC urges citizens to vote, warns against disrupting polls On Sunday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal urged more than 1.4 million registered voters to turn out in large numbers to elect their representatives. In a video message, the CEC said elaborate security arrangements had been made for the polls, with security forces and Quick Response Force teams deployed at polling stations and security also being ensured for voters travelling to and from polling stations. He warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face strict legal action. The warning followed the announcement by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on the social media about a planned long march from Mirpur division towards Muzaffarabad on Sunday. A core member of the JAAC, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, had claimed that caravans would converge at the Rawalakot sit-in, before marching towards Muzaffarabad after Zuhr prayers on the election day. However, when Mirpur DIG police was asked about the protest call given by the banned outfit, the official told Dawn on Sunday evening that not a single person had turned up anywhere to participate in any Rawalakot-bound rally. Meanwhile, AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan also warned of strict legal action against anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process or disturb public order afterwards. Bilawal vs Nawaz PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif were both participating in canvassing in the lead up to the polls, with observers seeing this election as a contest between the two. Addressing a public rally in AJK’s Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. The PML-N had also given 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift” and announced development schemes, prompting the PPP to decry poll code violations. Bilawal on Sunday responded to Nawaz’s jibe, saying that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. He also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. “Something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right,” he said, adding that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment.